News
Milford Haven: Another high street bank to close doors
MILFORD HAVEN branch of Lloyds Bank is set to close next year the bank has confirmed.
In a letter sent to customers of the branch, the bank said that the decision was made to close the Hamilton Terrace bank on 26 April 2017 following a review.
The move follows the closure of HSBC bank in December 2014, leaving Barclays Bank Plc and Natwest on Hamilton Terrace.
Lloyds customers have been directed to the branch in Haverfordwest where manager Kevin Ward, and his team will be able to “help with your banking needs”.
To cushion the blow of further branch closures, the bank – bailed out in 2008 – is launching a fleet of mobile vans intended to visit communities knocked by the disappearance of high street outlets. It is not clear if any of these mobile vans will be deployed in Pembrokeshire.
The reductions are part of a three-year cost-cutting programme being implemented by the chief executive, António Horta-Osório, to cut 12,000 jobs and close 400 branches by the end of 2017.
So far, 9,435 job cuts have been announced and 261 branches earmarked for closure.
Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander – have closed 1,700 branches in the past five years and more are expected. As a result, 1,500 communities have been left without a bank on their high street
Crime
Goodwick driver fined for crashing into van and outbuilding
A 21-YEAR-OLD motorist has been sentenced for driving on a Pembrokeshire B road and colliding with a parked van and an outbuilding.
Luke Harvey was driving a blue Ford Fiesta along the B4313 at Llanychaer, near Fishguard, at around 11:30pm on May 16, with a male passenger in the car.
“A call was made to the police, reporting that he had hit a van as well as an outbuilding,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
“The people living at the property advised him to stay at the scene, but he insisted on going home. He managed to free his vehicle and drove off towards Fishguard.”
Police traced the car to an address in Fishguard and located Harvey. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, using a vehicle without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Magistrates fined Harvey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.
Crime
Trainee plumber sentenced after interfering with cars in Pembroke town centre
A TRAINEE plumber who consumed so much alcohol that he ‘didn’t know what he was doing’ has been sentenced for interfering with two cars parked in Pembroke town centre.
In the early hours of October 6, police officers found Ethan Pender, 20, of Central Court, Milford Haven, sitting inside a Ford Fiesta parked on Main Street.
“The interior lights were on, which attracted the officers’ attention,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.
Pender claimed the car belonged to his parents, but checks revealed it was owned by someone else residing in the area. Further investigations showed he had also interfered with a parked BMW.
“The contents of a First Aid box were strewn across the seats, and the lock on the central console was broken,” Ms Vaughan explained. She confirmed no items had been stolen from either vehicle.
At a previous hearing, Pender’s solicitor, Tom Lloyd, said the offences occurred after a heavy drinking session: “He was extremely intoxicated and couldn’t remember what he was doing. There was no targeting of vehicles, and no damage was caused.”
Magistrates considered a probation report and sentenced Pender to a 12-month community order. He must complete ten rehabilitation days and a 90-day alcohol monitoring programme. He was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Motorist charged after motorcyclist seriously injured in Cleddau Bridge crash
A 63-YEAR-OLD motorist has appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing serious injury to a motorcyclist following a collision on the A477 at Cleddau Bridge.
The court heard how David Howell was driving his Peugeot Boxer campervan towards the roundabout at Cleddau Bridge on August 9, 2023. He was followed by a bus and a motorcyclist.
“As he approached the roundabout, Howell indicated that he was turning right, and as he did so, the motorcyclist attempted to overtake,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
“The defendant then decided to turn right as he was being overtaken.”
The motorcyclist sustained injuries to his chest, shoulders, and legs as a result of the collision.
Howell, of Margaret Street, Ammanford, denies causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. He elected to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings will commence on December 30. He was released on unconditional bail.
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