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Pembrokeshire motorist dealt ‘life changing’ sentence

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A 31-YEAR-OLD motorist has been ordered off the roads for three years after refusing to provide a drugs sample following a previous conviction of drug-driving.

Luke Owen was convicted of driving over the legal drugs limit in May, 2022. This week he returned to the courts to face his second drug-drive related offence within a ten year period.

Owen, of Wayside Close, Simpson Cross, was stopped by officers just before 3pm on March 13 as he drove his Vauxhall Corsa through Haverfordwest.

“He was stopped as a result of information the officers had received that he may have been driving on drugs,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “When officers explained why he had been stopped, the defendant was initially dismissive and refused to provide a sample. He was just about to get arrested when he agreed to give a sample that was positive for cannabis.”

Owen was taken to a police custody suite where he was asked to give further blood tests for drugs analysis. But Ms Baker said that upon his arrival, Owen persistently refused too provide the tests.

This week Owen pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

“He didn’t realise how serious it would be, by failing to provide a specimen,” said probation officer Julie Norman.

Meanwhile Owen’s solicitor, Tom Lloyd, said the conviction would have a major impact on his day-to-day life.

“Losing his licence is going to be life-changing,” he said. “His income is going to suffer considerably as he currently has a good employment record with a local cleaning company. But being unable to drive to and from work is going to be very difficult. This is going to be a huge punishment for him.”

Owen was disqualified from driving for three years. He was given a 12-month community order which will include ten rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

 

Crime

Man arrested after police stop car on Pembroke Dock street

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A MAN was arrested after police stopped a car on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday afternoon (Apr 4).

Witnesses said the incident happened at around 5:00pm outside Bargain Booze, when two police vehicles – one marked and one unmarked – pulled over a motorist.

According to one bystander, officers searched the boot of the vehicle and arrested the man straight afterwards.

The same witness said what was suspected to be Class A drugs were found, although that detail has not been confirmed by police.

The man was taken away in a police car, while an officer drove the suspect’s vehicle from the scene.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

Image: File photo

 

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Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:

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Students to get wider access to EMA support

MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.

Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.

She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.

“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”

More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.

The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.

Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.

“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.

“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.

“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.

“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”

EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.

Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).

Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.

If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.

 

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Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre

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EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.

Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.

A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.

The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”

The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.

We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

 

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