A 27-YEAR-OLD Romanian has been remanded in custody after stealing over £1,000 worth of items from Boots in Pembroke Dock.

Raj Domnu was arrested by police officers after being observed stealing the items on April 13. He appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on April 22 when admitted stealing items totalling £1,818.53.

The matter was adjourned for an all-options probation report to be prepared prior to Domnu’s sentencing, and this week he re-appeared before Haverfordwdest magistrates court via a video-link from Swansea Prison where he has been remanded in custody.

“The report has been prepared, but my client doesn’t understand a word of English so I’m unable to discuss it with him,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson also stated that to sentence Domnu without the assistance of an interpreter would be judicially unfair to the defendant.

As a result, the matter was adjourned to May 13.  Domnu, of Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe, was remanded in custody.

A PEMBROKESHIRE farm mechanic has been sentenced by magistrates after driving his vehicle at speed towards another car when he was over the drink-drive limit.

William Griffiths was driving his Seat Leon on an unclassified road between Maenclochog and Clarbeston just before 7pm on April 22.

“Another motorist was on her way home and she slowed down when the vehicle in front of her indicated to turn right,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“But she then heard the sound of screeching tyres and saw a car travelling towards her at speed, breaking heavily and swerving across the road.”

The out-of-control car was being driven by William Griffiths, 47, of Clyn, Maenclochog.

“He shunted forward and skid marks could be seen on the road,” continued Ms Jackson. “Police officers were called and when they spoke to the defendant, they could smell alcohol on his breath.”

A roadside breath test proved positive and Griffiths was taken to a police custody suite where he gave two further breath tests, the lowest giving a reading of 67 mcg. The legal limit is 35.

Ms Jackson confirmed that during a police interview, Griffiths admitted drinking three pints of lager earlier that evening.

“It’s sad that someone at the age of 47 comes before the court with a hitherto clean character,” said his barrister, David Griffiths, in mitigation.

“This was an exceptional situation as my client had been told that one of his friends had died suddenly that day.

“Because of this, he called into a pub and drank more than he should have.”
Mr Griffiths said that his client works as a self-employed mechanic on his family farm.

After considering the facts, magistrates disqualified Williams Griffiths from driving for a total of 18 months. He was fined £440 and ordered to pay a £176 court surcharge and £85 costs.

A CONVICTED Pembrokeshire sex offender has admitted spending a month in Morocco after failing to inform police of his intention to leave the country.

Wayne Mansbridge arrived in Morocco on January 16 and remained there until February 16, despite having been placed on the sex offenders’ register following a conviction of sexually assaulting a soldier in 2014.  One of the register’s requirements demands that Mansbridge notifies the police at least seven days before leaving the UK.

“The police received information that he’d gone abroad but he had not informed them of his intentions to travel,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“But the sex offenders register states that he must notify them at least seven days in advance.”
When officers arrested Mansbridge following his return to the UK, he fully admitted the offence, claiming it had ‘gone out of his head’.

“He travelled to Morocco on January 16 and returned on February 16, so he had travelled for a full month,” continued Ms Jackson.

“He informed officers that he has been abroad a number of times since the offence, but this is the first time he has failed to comply with the sex offender’s register requirements.”

Mansbridge, 57, of Oak Grove, Twycross, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements.

Following a request by his solicitor, Tom Lloyd, for an all-options probation report, sentencing was adjourned to May 28 and Mansbridge was released on unconditional bail.