A MAN from Monkton has been remanded in custody accused of inflicting serious injuries and intentionally strangling a woman.

Lance Finnegan, aged 34, of Monkton Main Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and intentional strangulation.

The court heard allegations that on Friday (Feb 7) at Monkton, Pembroke, Finnegan unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a female, with intent to cause serious injury, contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He is also charged with intentional strangulation, contrary to Section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015, relating to an incident alleged to have taken place the following day.

No pleas were entered at the magistrates’ court.

Because of the seriousness of the offences, the case was sent directly to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Magistrates Dr S Hancock, Mr L Evetts and Mrs L Harrison remanded Finnegan in custody.

Bail was refused on multiple grounds, including concerns he could commit further offences, interfere with witnesses, or abscond.

The court cited the nature and seriousness of the allegations and the defendant’s previous record and character.

Finnegan is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court, The Law Courts, St Helens Road, Swansea, for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Friday, March 13.

A NEYLAND councillor has called for traffic calming measures in the town where “a terrible tragedy” was avoided by “sheer good luck” after a car recently hit a house wall, the fifth such incident in less than a decade.

At the most recent meeting of Neyland Town Council, residents expressed their concerns at vehicle speeds in a part of the town.

Town council member, and county councillor, Simon Hancock said: “They came to express their concern at speeding cars losing control on the corner where Honeyborough Road leads into Kensington Road.  On Sunday afternoon a speeding car mounted the pavement and smashed into the wall of No 43 coming to rest in the middle of the road. Emergency services were on the scene.”

He said images of the incident and its aftermath were shared on social media and to the council.

Following that, Cllr Simon Hancock, who is also the county council’s presiding member, said: “I am extremely concerned by some drivers travelling at excessive speeds at this bend.  This is the fifth serious incident in nine years where cars have collided with houses in the terrace.

“Any pedestrians on the pavement at the time could have been killed or seriously injured. I have written to the chief executive, leader and cabinet member [of Pembrokeshire County Council] insisting on road traffic calming measures at this location.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the police over the incident to determine the cause of the accident before considering what measures the Highway Authority may take.”

Wet conditions and loss of control cited as defendant pleads guilty at Swansea Crown Court

A DRIVER has admitted causing the deaths of two young Pembrokeshire people after his car crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided with their vehicle.

At Swansea Crown Court, Alexander MacCallum, 28, of Beach Road, Llanreath, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving following the fatal crash on the A477 road.

Katie Worrell, aged 25, from Pembroke, and Adam Muskett, aged 27, from Tenby, were travelling together in a Ford Fiesta when it was struck by MacCallum’s Jaguar during heavy, wet conditions at around 4:00pm on June 13, 2024.

Prosecutor Craig Jones told the court the defendant’s vehicle lost control and drifted across the centre line. The loss of control was described as “momentary”, with standing water on the carriageway believed to have contributed.

The impact proved fatal for both occupants of the Fiesta.

MacCallum accepted responsibility for what happened and expressed remorse for the consequences of his driving.

Judge Huw Rees adjourned sentencing to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He warned the defendant that every option remains available to the court, including an immediate custodial sentence.

MacCallum was granted bail but disqualified from driving in the interim. He is due to return to court for sentencing on April 2.

Addressing relatives present in the courtroom, Judge Rees said the court recognised the scale of their loss.

The families later paid tribute to the couple.

Katie’s loved ones described her as a devoted daughter, sister and friend who embraced life, loved travelling and had recently completed a Masters degree. They said she worked hard, cared deeply for others and “loved Adam beyond words”.

Adam’s family said he was a much-loved son and brother who adored Tenby, football and his partner. They said they were left heartbroken by the loss of his “big kind heart and cheeky smile”.

Both families said their lives would never be the same without them.