News

Lorry driver crashed through dock railings when twice over drink-drive limit

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2023

A LORRY driver who was being relentlessly hounded by the HMRC for tax payments made the foolish decision of drinking so much alcohol that he crashed through a barrier at Milford Haven docks causing the lorry to remain suspended in the air.

A member of the Milford Haven Port Authority observed the Latvian-registered lorry crash through the barrier at around 11.40pm on November 18, 2022.

“The lorry was hanging over the marina and the driver was seen climbing out,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The Port Authority worker called out to him, but his call was ignored.”

Ms Vaughan went on to say that the lorry driver was then seen to partially fall out of the vehicle before climbing back in.

“It was obvious that he was drunk” she said. “He tried to reverse it back, but the wheels were spinning.”

Police were summoned and they discovered that the lorry was being driven by Carl Hodson, 55, from Whitchurch in Shropshire.

A roadside breath test proved positive and Hodson was taken to the police station for further tests. These confirmed he had been driving with 175 mlg of alcohol in his blood. The legal limit is 80.

Hodson was represented in court by Mr David Williams.

“At the time of the offence, he was under an immense amount of personal pressure brought about by the HMRC,” he said.

“They’d been pursuing him relentlessly for repayments. But what he did that night was extremely foolish and potentially extremely dangerous.”

Mr Williams added that as a result of the offence, Hodson has decided to move to Latvia where he will be carrying out warehouse duties.

Carol Hodson pleaded guilty to the charge of drink driving.

He was fined £475 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £190 surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 23 months.

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

1 hour ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.