Court heard cocaine and opiates had previously been found in her system

A MILFORD woman has been fined for failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after cocaine and opiates were found in her system.

An appointment was made for 46-year-old Marion Picton to attend the assessment on February 12 after drugs were found in her system last November.

But her failure to attend resulted in her appearance before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where Picton, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, admitted failing to attend the assessment.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.

Land Rover Defender stopped by police on High Street

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has admitted driving through Fishguard High Street while over the drink-drive limit.

Peter Griffith, 58, of Brynderw, High Street, Fishguard, was stopped by officers on May 12 as he drove his Land Rover Defender through High Street, Fishguard.

He went on to provide breathalyser tests that showed he had 56mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

This week Griffith pleaded guilty to the drink-driving offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

He was legally represented by Alaw Harries, who said this was the defendant’s first appearance before a court. She also submitted a number of character references to District Judge Mark Layton for his consideration prior to sentencing.

Griffith was disqualified from driving for a total of 16 months and was fined £376. He was ordered to pay a £150 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Defendant told court he suffered panic attack after being stopped by police

A PANIC attack after a motorist was asked to provide police with a roadside drug swipe has resulted in a hefty court sentence after the defendant pleaded guilty to a string of motoring offences.

Steven Mathias, 45, was stopped by officers on May 1 when a Police National Computer check revealed his vehicle was being driven along Vine Road, Johnston, without third-party insurance.

When asked to provide a routine roadside drug swipe, Mathias, who was the driver and owner of the vehicle, refused.

This week he pleaded guilty to failing to co-operate with a preliminary test, driving without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Mathias, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, Milford Haven, chose to be legally unrepresented in court.

“I’m remorseful for what happened and accept I was driving without a licence and was uninsured,” he told the court in mitigation. “But my partner had kidney stones, and that day I had to drive her to hospital. This was a genuine reason.

“When I was stopped by the police, I had a panic attack and just wanted to get myself out of the situation. But I accept that’s no excuse.”

Mathias was fined £420 and ordered to pay a £168 court surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with six penalty points.