News

Fishguard: Suspended prison sentence for carer who rolled car drunk

Published

8 years ago

April 2, 2018

A 35-YEAR-OLD carer and mother of two from Fishguard has been given a suspended prison sentence for driving whilst intoxicated, rolling her car on a country road, running from the scene, and then refusing to give a sample of breath at the police station.
Zara Louise Delaney, of Smyth Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court last week (Mar 27) to plead guilty to one charge of refusing to provide a sample of breath without a reasonable excuse.
The CPS prosecutor told the court that on March 9, Delaney was driving between Letterston and Little Newcastle when she rolled her vehicle. Police passing found the vehicle on its roof, and a quick check showed that it was registered to her. Sometime later, the court heard, PC Reynolds located a female near a dirt track who was “covered in mud with no footwear, slurring, and clearly intoxicated.”
The lawyer added: “When asked for a roadside specimen she co-operated and blew 118 – but once in the police station she became uncooperative and refused to give a sample of breath.
Stacey Holmes of Goldstones Solicitors, defending, said: “My client had a stressful day on the day of the incident. She works as a mobile carer and her employer was short staffed. She had made 15 calls that day, and she was exhausted and drained. As the court heard she initially complied by giving the breath sample at the roadside, but when she got to the police station she simply panicked – this was a new environment.”
“She understands the serious matter before the court. Her personal circumstances are that my client has two daughters. She is a sole carer but still managing to work for her employer, Pembrokeshire Care, doing 49 calls a week.”
Ms Holmes added: “She suffers from depression, and has been for the last five years.”
Following a period of adjournment for a probation report to be completed the court reconvened.
Chairman of the bench, David Simpson, told Delaney that the offence had crossed the custody threshold due to the high level of intoxication and deliberate refusal to provide a sample.
Nevertheless, the bench decided to impose a 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
The main thrust of the punishment is that the busy carer was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12 months community order.
She will avoid jail if she keeps out of trouble for a year.
Delaney was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 29 months, ordered to pay the CPS £85, and told to pay £115 into the victim services fund.

Local Government

Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard

Published

13 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.

Community

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day

Published

13 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

Local Government

Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall

Published

13 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.