Crime

‘Wake up call’ for NHS worker found guilty of drink-driving in SUV

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE NHS worker has been sentenced after being found guilty of driving his SUV vehicle when he was almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Police received reports that Robert Preen, 39, of Law Street, Pembroke Dock, had been seen driving near his home address on the afternoon of May 20, 2023.

“At approximately 4.40pm police received information that a male appeared to be drunk,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was seen stumbling, and then he entered a vehicle and drove off, hitting a kerb.”

As a result of information supplied to the police, officers traced a red Vauxhall Grandland to Preen’s home address in Law Street, Pembroke Dock.

However Preen denied being the driver.

“He initially said it was his partner [who was driving], but he was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to be the driver,” said Ms Baker.

Subsequent breathalyser tests confirmed that Preen had 116 mcg of alcohol in his breath. The legal limit is 35.

Following his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on March 28, Preen was found guilty of drink-driving.

“He was convicted, but he still maintains that he drank alcohol after returning home,” said probation officer Julie Norman.

“He’d had an argument earlier that day with his partner, he drank one glass of wine and then his partner left. The defendant decided to go and see a friend but he then left the property and drove back. That’s when he was reported.”

Ms Norman added that when he arrived home, Preen claimed he had found some vodka in his garden shed, which he drank.
She said that Preen, who has no previous convictions, is currently employed with the NHS.

“He’s admitted that he has an issue with alcohol and, in the past, has sought assistance with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Advisory Service [DDAS],” she said. “But he’s still managing to hold down a full time job.”

Preen was ordered to pay a total of £1,322, comprising a £588 fine, £620 costs and a £114 surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 24 months. He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order which includes 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. During this time he will be referred to DDAS.

“You’ll go from this court knowing that you’ve brought this upon yourself,” said presiding magistrate Mary Smith. “I hope that you learn from this experience and won’t find yourself back here again. This is your wake-up call.”

Crime

Driver sentenced for cannabis offences on Cleddau Bridge and in Wolverhampton

Published

11 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOLVERHAMPTON motorist has been disqualified from driving after admitting two separate cannabis-driving offences, including one on the Cleddau Bridge.

Doel Lyons appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first offence took place on December 22, 2025, when Lyons drove a Honda Civic along the A477 Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock.

A blood test showed seven micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, per litre of blood.

The second offence occurred on March 30 this year, when Lyons drove the same Honda Civic along Tithe Croft in Wolverhampton with cannabis in his blood above the legal limit.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving disqualification for each offence and fined Lyons £233 on each charge.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs in relation to each conviction.

The court register does not specify whether the two periods of disqualification are to run concurrently.

Separate allegations that Lyons drove another vehicle while over the cannabis limit and without insurance in Staffordshire in September 2025 remain outstanding.

No pleas have been entered to those charges, which were adjourned for a plea hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on July 29.

Crime

Pembrokeshire teenager given referral order after shoplifting spree

Published

11 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE teenager has been given a 12-month referral order after admitting a string of shop thefts and damaging a police vehicle.

The youth appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where guilty pleas were entered to 11 theft offences committed between April and June.

The offences involved shops in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Neyland, with alcohol targeted in the majority of the incidents.

Items stolen included BuzzBall alcoholic drinks, vodka, cans of Red Bull, crisps, chewing gum and a sandwich.

The court heard that several of the thefts took place at retail parks in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, while others occurred at stores in Neyland and Milford Haven town centre.

The individual also admitted causing £180 worth of damage to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle in Neyland on June 26.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month referral order, which will require the teenager to work with the Pembrokeshire Youth Offending Team and comply with a contract agreed with a youth offender panel.

Compensation totalling £336.77 was ordered in relation to the stolen property and damage to the police vehicle. The teenager’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

The court imposed reporting restrictions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Nothing may be published which could identify the youth.

Crime

Murder investigation launched into death of Pembrokeshire man in 1991

Published

1 day ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.