Crime

Drink-driver used alcohol as ‘coping mechanism’ court hears

Published

4 months ago

July 17, 2024

A COURT has heard how a 29-year-old woman turned to alcohol as ‘a coping mechanism’ after learning that two of her close family members had been diagnosed with cancer.

At around 11pm on June 20, Janecia Cook was observed by police officers driving her VW Golf through Merlins Bridge in what the Crown Prosecution has described as ‘an erratic manner’.

“She was seen crossing the solid double white line and was braking erratically,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Officers stopped the vehicle, and when they spoke to Cook, they could see that her eyes were glazed and her speech was slurred.

“She also appeared to be unaware of her surroundings,” added Ms Jackson.

A roadside breath test proved positive and Cook, of South Court, Haverfordwest, was taken to Haverfordwest police station where further breath tests were carried out. These showed she had 84 mcg of alcohol in her breath. The legal limit is 35.

Cook pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving and was represented in court by Mr MIchael Kelleher.

“At the time of the offence, the defendant was going through a very difficult period in her life,” Mr Kelleher told the court.

“Two very close family members had been diagnosed with cancer and she was assisting them in their treatment, driving them to and from hospital appointments and she simply couldn’t cope. She took to alcohol as a coping mechanism.”

Mr Kelleher went on to say that Cook hasn’t drunk alcohol since her arrest and has also attended AA meetings and has referred herself to the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service.

“She is doing all she can,” he said.

Cook was disqualified from driving for 17 months. She was fined £250 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £100 court surcharge.

Crime

Mother admits to killing seven-year-old son in Haverfordwest

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Luke Sinclair

A mother has admitted to the manslaughter of her seven-year-old son at their home in Haverfordwest, citing diminished responsibility.

Papaipit Linse, 43, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 22), where she denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her son, Louis Linse. Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC confirmed the manslaughter plea would be accepted, stating it “did not come as a surprise” to the prosecution.

The incident occurred on 10 January when police were called to a property on Upper Market Street. Louis was rushed to Withybush General Hospital but tragically died shortly afterwards.

During the hearing, Linse, who spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas, was informed that she would be sentenced on 13 December. Judge Paul Thomas KC described the case as “clearly a very sensitive as well as a very tragic case.”

The court was told that Linse is currently receiving treatment at the Caswell Clinic, a mental health facility in Bridgend. Psychiatric evidence is expected to be presented during the sentencing hearing to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.