A Pembrokeshire chef who was seen stumbling around in the road after crashing his car was found to be almost twice over the legal drink-drive limit.

Jamie Pope, 27, was seen stumbling in the road in the early hours of December 1 following a 14-hour cooking shift at a restaurant in Saundersfoot,  His vehicle, a VW Golf, had been involved in a one- vehicle collision and damage had been caused to its bumper.

“Police received reports that a car had been involved in an accident and the driver appeared to be intoxicated or on drugs,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“Jamie Pope was seen stumbling around in the road and he appeared emotionally erratic and aggressive.”

When the officers approached Pope, he screamed at them, threatening to headbut one of the female officers.

“He said he was going to nut them,” added Ms Vaughan.

A roadside breath test proved positive while further breath tests carried out at the police station showed Pope had 65 mcg of alcohol in his system.  The legal limit is 35.

Pope, who previously resided at Maes yr Odyn, Narberth, pleaded guilty to drink-driving as well as an additional charge of obstructing or resisting an officer in the execution of their duty.

He was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“He was going through a very emotional time in his personal life and he’d just worked a long 14-hour shift as a chef,” he said.  “He’d been drinking at work and crashed his car on the way home.  He was annoyed with himself, as he’d behaved outrageously.”

Mr Kelleher said that as a result of the offence, Pope has lost his job and his relationship had ended.

“He has now left Pembrokeshire and is living with his parents in Somerset.” he said.

Pope was sentenced to a 12 month Community Order during which he must carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and 60 hours of unpaid work.  He was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Police have confirmed that a six-month old baby girl has died following a collision on the ground floor of Tenby multi-storey car park on January 2.

Sophia Keleman, from the Leigh, Manchester, was taken to hospital, but died of her injuries on January 3.

Thirty-three year old Flaviu Naghi, from Wigan, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He appeared before Swansea Magistrates Court on Saturday where he was remanded in custody to appear before Swansea Crown Court on February 7. He was also arrested in suspicion of drink-driving and drug-driving.

Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed that Sophia’s family is currently being supported by specially trained officers.

One of Wales’ most enigmatic and successful fashion designers – Huw ‘Fash’ Rees – is to hang up his tailors’ shears for good later this year following his announcement that his bridal gown company – Huw Rees Brides – is to close.

In an announcement made on social media last weekend, Huw said his ongoing health issues leaves insufficient time for running his business in Llandeilo.  As a result, Huw Rees Brides will close by the end of March, 2025.

“It’s been a difficult decision, not taken lightly,” he said.

“But all our brides have been contacted and we will continue to work with all current brides until their weddings. There is no scandal, and no one will be left without a dress.”

Huw went on to say that later this year he will become an official celebrant.

Huw Rees Brides was launched in 2008, since when it has won no fewer than 14 national awards.  He is also a regular face on S4C’s ‘Prynhawn Da’ and ‘Heno’ magazine programmes where he presents the regular fashion slots.

Huw was first admitted to hospital in 2019, complaining of severe stomach pains. Tests confirmed that he had been suffering from kidney disease for a considerable period of time. The initial prognosis was that with medical treatment coupled with a healthy diet, he wouldn’t have to undertake dialysis nor a new kidney. But nine months later he was told that he would have to commence dialysis.

“I was worried, as I knew the effects that dialysis can have on a person’s life,” he said in a previous Radio Cymru interview.

“You have to be on the machine three times a week, for four hours a day, and to me, this felt like ‘broken heart syndrome’.

“But I knew how important it was to follow the guidance of the specialists, listen to what they had to say and start dialysis as soon as possible.”

His treatment began just two days after Christmas, 2019.

“I went in for a blood test and was told that things had got considerably worse, with the result that they decided to begin dialysis that very same day,” he said.

Throughout his treatment, Huw feared that his work would one day have to take a backward step.

“My work has always been my life, as this is what I love doing,” he said.

“But the care I’ve received from the NHS has been exceptional.

“The dialysis team has been so supportive, and not once have I been left feeling isolated.

“Also, the response I’ve had from the public since announcing the closure of the business last Saturday has been incredible and the messages of support have been pouring in.

“Those messages have meant a great deal to myself and to the girls, but the decision to close is a positive one, which will allow me some freedom to pursue other less consuming interests.”

Huw ‘Fash’ went on to say that instead of selling wedding gowns, he will soon become a licensed celebrant.

Latest Welsh government figures confirm that Kidney Replacement Therapy treatments, such as dialysis,  are currently being given to around 1,400 Welsh residents a year.

There are also almost 1,800 Welsh patients living with a functioning kidney transplant, who require ongoing clinical review, psychosocial support and immunosuppressive drug treatments. All forecasts consistently demonstrate that the need for these services for adults will grow by between 4 and 5% year on year.

The number of children reaching end stage kidney disease per annum is around two per million of the total population. In Wales this corresponds to approximately six new cases per year. There are approximately 50 children on Kidney Replacement Therapy (KRT) in Wales at any one time, many with a kidney transplant.

Meanwhile Huw Rees has confirmed that all stock, including current gowns, is now being sold for £350 or less.