Crime

New Year’s Eve callout results in three-year driving ban

Published

2 years ago

January 17, 2024

An SOS callout in the early hours of New Year’s Eve has resulted in a three-year driving ban for St Clears motorist Connor McGinty after he crashed into railings when he was over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that McGinty, 32, received a call from a friend asking him to pick her up from an address in Narberth. Despite having spent the evening drinking alcohol, McGinty, of Maes yr Hufenfa, St Clears, decided to get behind the wheel and collect her.

But as he attempted to drive down Jesse Road in Narberth, he lost control of his BMW and hit the railings positioned around a set of traffic lights near the school.

“It was around 4.30am on New Year’s Eve when police officers received a call from a member of the public saying that there had been a road traffic accident in Jesse Road,” said Crown Prosecutor Kelly Rivers earlier this week.

“They had heard a massive bang and then the horn of the car continued sounding. They also saw two men run off from the vehicle, leaving the BMW abandoned in the middle of the road.”

The female who had requested the lift from McGinty remained in the vehicle. When police officers arrived, she told them that following the collision, the car had filled with smoke at which point McGinty and another male passenger both ran off.

A short while later McGinty returned to the vehicle.

A roadside breath test proved positive and he was taken into police custody and asked to provide further specimens of breath which gave a lowest reading of 52 mcg. The prescribed legal limit is 35.

Ms Rivers went on to say that during his police interview, McGinty denied being the driver of the BMW at the time of the crash.

“He said it wasn’t him that was driving and that the car had been stolen. But then he suddenly admitted that he was the driver and, to use his own words, was driving the car pissed.”

Ms Rivers informed magistrates that McGinty was convicted of a similar excess alcohol charge in 2018.

McGinty pleaded guilty to drink-driving and to two additional charges of causing his vehicle to be left in a dangerous position and failing to stop after the road accident.

He was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.
“He behaved extremely badly,” he said. “He was struggling with his mental health at the time and he has issues with alcohol.”

This was endorsed by probation officer Julie Norman.

“His nine-year alcohol problem began when his father died, and this is something that needs to be addressed,” she said.

“Someone asked him to collect them from Narberth and as they were driving out of the town he hit the railings. He left the scene to get help but when he returned the young lady was in the police car.”

Connor McGinty was disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was sentenced to a 12-month community service order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation requirement days. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge.

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.