Court told 58-year-old turned to the drug following a life-changing motorcycle accident

A PEMBROKE DOCK man who said he used cannabis to manage chronic pain has been banned from driving for 12 months after testing above the legal drug-drive limit.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Simon Mills, 58, was stopped by police while driving his Range Rover along Queen Street, Pembroke Dock, at around 3pm on April 10.

After providing a positive roadside saliva test, Mills was taken to a police station, where a blood sample was obtained.

Tests showed he had 3.1 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, per litre of blood. The legal limit is two micrograms.

Mills, of Old School Court, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates this week.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Mills had begun using cannabis to manage pain caused by a serious motorcycle accident several years ago.

“He was put on extremely strong medication, but this resulted in a very difficult period for him,” Mr Lloyd told the court.

“He lost his construction business, he ended up homeless, and cannabis has helped him tremendously with his pain relief.

“Compared with the medication he was taking, the use of cannabis has been life-changing for him.”

Mr Lloyd said Mills would not have attempted to drive that day had he believed the cannabis had impaired his ability to do so.

Magistrates disqualified Mills from driving for 12 months and fined him £120.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge.

Court shown body-worn footage of violent confrontation at Goodwick property

A COURT has been shown police body-worn footage capturing the moment a mother assaulted a social worker and two police officers at her home in north Pembrokeshire.

The incident took place on June 5, when social worker Bethan Griffiths attended the Goodwick property of Danielle Simmons, in Stop and Call.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Simmons prevented Ms Griffiths from entering the property and began threatening her with violence.

“When Bethan Griffiths arrived, the defendant prevented her from entering the property, slurring her speech and threatening the social worker with violence,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told the court.

Simmons was heard shouting: “F*** off or I’ll punch your ugly little face in.”

When Ms Griffiths reached the front door, Simmons threatened to throw a cup of coffee over her.

In a statement given to police, Ms Griffiths said: “I do my job to help children and families, not to be threatened.

“I had only worked with the defendant for two weeks, but that day I had to leave for my own safety.”

As a result of Simmons’ behaviour, the social worker requested immediate police assistance.

“When the officers arrived, the defendant began shouting and swearing at them and was actively resistant,” Ms James continued.

“One of the officers was headbutted twice by Simmons, clawed to the face and grabbed by the throat.”

Simmons was eventually restrained, handcuffed and taken to hospital for medical checks.

However, the prosecution said her violent behaviour continued after she arrived at the hospital.

“She attempted to headbutt the officer but missed, before kicking her in the thigh, causing pain, redness and soreness,” Ms James said.

“Her level of violence was unacceptable and disturbing, particularly when she headbutted the officer in the presence of children.”

The officer described her fear during the confrontation in a victim impact statement read to the court.

“I felt she seriously intended to harm me,” she said.

“If my size and restraining skills had not been in my favour, this could have ended very differently.”

The officer sustained bruising and cuts to the side of her face, a cut finger, a sore throat caused by Simmons grabbing her neck, and a headache.

Simmons, 35, pleaded guilty to the common assault of Bethan Griffiths and two charges of assaulting police officers in the execution of their duty.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said that since Simmons’ release from custody in 2019, her primary focus had been safeguarding and caring for her family.

“The last seven years have been a very long period of stability for her, during which she has done everything she can for her children,” he said.

“This was just a blip.

“She let herself down tremendously, but her family is the most important thing to her, and she has fought extremely hard to get back to where she is today.”

After considering a detailed pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service, magistrates imposed a 12-month community order.

Simmons must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She was also ordered to pay a total of £300 compensation to the two police officers and £100 compensation to the social worker.

She must additionally pay an £85 contribution towards prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

Tenby man found carrying cocaine after violent confrontation at Cardiff Central station

A PEMBROKESHIRE man tried to headbutt a police officer after railway staff refused to allow him to board a train because he was too drunk to travel.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Cheyne Lloyd-Neal, 31, attempted to board the Cardiff to Tenby service at Cardiff Central shortly before 11pm on December 20.

However, railway staff assessed his level of intoxication and told him he would not be permitted to travel.

Police were called as Lloyd-Neal became increasingly aggressive, shouting at one officer: “Shut your f****** mouth, boy.”

Crown Prosecutor Nia James said the officer tried to explain that Lloyd-Neal should not waste money buying a ticket because he had already been prevented from boarding the train.

“He called the officer a c*** and raised his middle finger to him as he walked off,” she told the court.

“He remained hostile, shouting and swearing at the police. When they reached the concourse, the defendant lunged his head violently towards one of the officers in an attempt to headbutt him.”

A struggle followed as officers attempted to control Lloyd-Neal’s head and body. Urgent assistance was requested over the radio before he was eventually restrained on the floor.

During a search, officers found a snap bag containing 0.47 grams of cocaine in his pocket. The drug had an estimated street value of £27.

PC Jonathan Dando sustained an injury to his left shoulder during the incident.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, PC Dando asked magistrates to consider the emotional effect that violent incidents can have on police officers. He said he experienced flashbacks following the confrontation.

Lloyd-Neal, of Alma Gardens, Penally, admitted being drunk and disorderly in a public place, assaulting a police constable and possessing a Class A drug.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said the offences had taken place during a period of considerable emotional turmoil for his client.

“His daughter was born and, a matter of hours later, his grandfather passed away,” he said.

“These were destabilising factors, as he was extremely close to his grandfather.

“A few weeks later, he went on a work do in Cardiff and started drinking at 10am that morning. He has no recollection of the incident and was in a heightened emotional state at the time of the offence.

“He now recognises his issues and is ready to accept any intervention.”

After considering a detailed pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service, magistrates sentenced Lloyd-Neal to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.

He must complete 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Lloyd-Neal was also ordered to pay £400 compensation to PC Dando, an £85 contribution towards prosecution costs and a £154 surcharge.

The court ordered the cocaine to be destroyed.