Crime

Drug experimentation can lead to ‘unforeseen disaster’ warns solicitor

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE solicitor has spoken out at the lack of publicity concerning the length of time that controlled drugs can remain in a person’s system.

Michael Kelleher’s comments were made after a 21-year-old apprentice carpenter was banned from driving for 12 months after consuming cocaine 24 hours before being stopped by on-duty police officers.

“My client is not a drug user, but he was offered some cocaine 24 hours earlier,” Mr Kelleher told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He took it, it remained in his system, but he was unaware that this is what happens. This is something that needs to be highlighted on a far greater basis as drugs can stay in the system for a considerably long time.

“People need to be made aware that experimentations such as this can sometimes have these effects.”

Mr Kelleher was representing Jack Andrew Codd who was stopped by police officers at around 10pm on Sunday, October 29 as he drove his green Citroen van along Freemans Way in Haverfordwest.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson informed magistrates that Codd was spoken to concerning a minor traffic offence, and following their conversation, a roadside drugs swipe was carried out. The swipe proved positive and Codd was taken to a police custody suite for further blood tests. These confirmed he had 290 ug/L of benzoylecgonine in his system, which is a metabolite of cocaine. The specified legal limit is 50.

“My client is full of remorse for what has happened, but this has been a complete and utter disaster for him, and one that he didn’t foresee,” continued Michael Kelleher.

“He is an apprentice carpenter, due to finish his apprenticeship in June, but without a licence, he’s now going to lose his job. His future is now very uncertain.”

In addition to the 12-month disqualification, Codd, of Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

***Pembrokeshire solicitor: Michael Kelleher***

Crime

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

51 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Crime

Youth given conditional discharge after series of offences in Haverfordwest

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A YOUTH has been given a conditional discharge after admitting a series of offences in Haverfordwest, including assault, shop theft and interfering with motor vehicles.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offences took place over a number of days in December 2025.

The court was told that on Saturday (Dec 6), the youth assaulted another child by beating them during an incident in the town. On the same date, they also stole two cans of Red Bull worth £5.40 from Tesco.

Further offences were committed on Tuesday (Dec 9), when the youth interfered with multiple vehicles at a vehicle repair workshop at Havens Head Business Park, Milford Haven. The offences involved attempts to interfere with vehicles with the intention of theft.

The youth appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where guilty pleas were entered to all matters.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge for each offence, taking into account the early guilty pleas.

The court also ordered the youth to pay £100 in compensation to the victim of the assault and £5.40 in compensation to Tesco. No order for costs was made due to the financial circumstances involved.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.