A TREE surgeon has appeared before magistrates accused of driving while nearly three times over the drink-drive limit.

Ruan Austin, 49, is accused of driving an Audi along Holyland Road, Pembroke, on May 9 with 100mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

“He was seen towing a caravan in a local petrol station, and a report was made to police by a member of the public who believed he’d been drinking,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“The defendant was then found inside the caravan, so this was a culmination of being seen intoxicated and then seen in the caravan.”

Austin, of Tanlan, Silian, Lampeter, denied the charge when he appeared before the court by live video link.

“I was asleep in my caravan and was taken out and breathalysed,” he told the court.

“I was then taken into custody, so I don’t really understand what’s going on. I’m a tree surgeon and this is all very alien to me.”

District Judge Mark Layton adjourned the case until June 4 to allow Austin time to consider the prosecution evidence ahead of his next appearance at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court.

Austin was released on unconditional bail.

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been handed a four-figure fine after being caught speeding in his Jaguar on four separate occasions.

Leighton Barrass, 55, was recorded driving at speeds of up to 92mph on several stretches of road in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week and pleaded guilty to all four speeding offences.

The first incident took place on September 5, 2025, when Barrass was clocked driving at 91mph in a 70mph restricted area at Gorsley, Herefordshire.

On November 21, he was caught driving at 92mph on the M50 at Pendock Overbridge, Worcestershire. On December 5, he reached 81mph at Shuthonger, also in Worcestershire.

The fourth offence took place on February 13, 2026, when he drove his Jaguar through Droitwich, Worcestershire, again exceeding the 70mph limit.

Barrass, of Sycamore Street, Pembroke Dock, was fined £1,600 and ordered to pay £170 court costs and a £640 surcharge.

His licence was endorsed with 14 penalty points.

A WELL-BEHAVED XL Bully type dog has been allowed to return to its owner after being seized by police earlier this year.

Pablo was found inside a property in Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, during an unrelated police visit in November 2025.

Officers believed the dog’s markings and features meant he was an XL Bully type dog. Since February 2024, it has been illegal to possess or have custody of such a dog unless a valid certificate of exemption is in place and the owner complies with its conditions.

A warrant was later obtained under the Dangerous Dogs Act, and Pablo was removed from his owner, Cameron Jeffrey, in January.

Since then, the dog has been kept in police kennels at a cost of £2,693.84.

“The dog is not a danger to the public and is of very good temperament,” an RSPCA representative told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

That was supported by Jeffrey’s solicitor, Tom Lloyd, who said Pablo had never shown any signs of aggression.

“He went willingly to the police vehicle, he’s friendly and he’s willing to interact,” said Mr Lloyd. “There have been no issues whatsoever whilst the dog has been restrained in kennels.

“This is clearly a well-loved dog and the defendant is keen to get him back as quickly as possible.”

Jeffrey, 27, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to possessing and having custody of a fighting dog.

District Judge Mark Layton said it could sometimes be difficult to categorise a dog and determine whether it fell within the fighting dog spectrum.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to categorise, but when the dog was examined by the police, there were no issues with Pablo and he was friendly and willing to interact,” said Judge Layton.

Jeffrey was ordered to pay a £1,500 contribution towards the dog’s kennelling costs. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.

Pablo will be allowed to return home, but must be neutered and microchipped. Whenever he is taken to a public place, he must be handled by someone over the age of 16 and must wear a suitable lead and muzzle.

(Photo: Stock image)