Crime

Motorcyclist had life-changing injuries after collision in Milford Haven

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2024

A MOTORIST has been sentenced after causing a motorcyclist to suffer life-altering injuries in a collision near Milford Haven. The tragic incident occurred when Charlotte Harding, 38, pulled out of a junction without properly checking for oncoming traffic, leading to a devastating crash with paramedic Sean Luby.

The court heard how Mr Luby, 65, was riding his Honda motorcycle along Steynton Road at around 5:15 pm on January 29 of last year when the collision occurred. Despite the fact that the motorcyclist’s headlight was illuminated, Harding, who was driving home from her parents’ house with her children in her Audi A3, failed to see him and pulled out directly into his path. In a desperate attempt to avoid the collision, Mr Luby swerved and braked hard, but was unable to avert the crash. The impact threw him from his bike, leaving him unconscious on the road with severe injuries.

Prosecutor Hannah George told Swansea Crown Court that Mr Luby sustained a catalogue of catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain damage, multiple broken bones, and serious internal injuries. He was immediately attended to by off-duty nurses and firefighters who happened to be nearby. Their quick response, which included performing CPR after Mr Luby went into cardiac arrest, was credited with saving his life. He was then airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he was placed in a medically induced coma and received extensive treatment, including blood transfusions and surgeries.

The court was told that Mr Luby’s injuries were so severe that he required two months of hospitalisation at Cardiff before being transferred to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, and later to Neath Port Talbot Hospital for neuro-rehabilitation. His life has been irrevocably altered; he now suffers from limited mobility, impaired vision, chronic pain, and speaks with a stutter. Once a dedicated paramedic of over 30 years, Mr Luby is no longer able to work and has had to relocate to a bungalow better suited to his new physical limitations.

In an emotional impact statement read to the court, Mr Luby spoke of how his life had been “turned upside down” and expressed his bewilderment over why Harding had not seen him. He described the profound effect the crash has had on his family and lamented the loss of what had been a “boring and normal” life—one he would “take back in a heartbeat.”

Harding, who had no previous convictions and held a clean driving licence prior to the incident, expressed deep remorse for her actions. During her interviews with police, she acknowledged her fault, stating she was “mortified” by what had happened and admitted that she “had not looked long enough” at the junction. Her defence barrister, Ian Bridge, highlighted that Harding had been “broken” by the crash, expressing her deep regret and wishing she could turn back time to avoid the tragedy.

Judge Paul Thomas KC, in delivering the sentence, described the case as “tragic” and acknowledged the catastrophic impact the crash had on Mr Luby’s life. He noted that while the defendant had not acted with malicious intent, her carelessness had nonetheless resulted in devastating consequences. Judge Thomas pointed out that Harding “simply ought to have seen” the motorcyclist and should not have pulled out until she was certain it was safe.

Acknowledging the profound consequences of the incident, Judge Thomas sentenced Harding to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, 10 rehabilitation activity days, and was disqualified from driving for one year.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the life-changing consequences that can result from a moment’s inattention on the road.

Crime

Local carpenter retains driving licence despite previous ban

Published

14 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A Herbrandston carpenter has been allowed to keep his driving licence despite a previous driving disqualification for using his mobile phone whilst driving.

Addressing District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week, Simon Shaw stressed the disqualification was having a major impact on his work commitment as well as his ability to support members of his family.

“If the ban continues, at least two of my five employees will have to be lost” said Shaw, who works as a self-employed carpenter operating from Herbrandston and the Milford Haven Industrial Estate.

“We travel throughout the whole of West Wales and also work at Thorne Island, where we’ve been providing logistical support for renovations for the last four years.”

Shaw, of Triplestone Close, Herbrandston, went on to say that his business has only one other driver who works as a reserve fire fighter.

“As a result, he’s not available to provide the 24 hour cover we provide to various care homes in the county,” he said.

Simon Shaw concluded by stating that his daughter is also dependent on his support having recently given birth to twins while his son-in-law and his partner’s mother are both currently undergoing serious healthcare treatments.

“I’m trying to provide as much logistical support for them as I can, but without my driving licence, this is impossible,” he said.

After listening to his comments, Judge Layton granted Shaw permission to retain his licence.

Crime

Delivery driver caught twice over legal drink-drive limit

Published

14 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A DELIVERY driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel when he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Twenty-nine year old Sam Rowe was stopped by officers just before 9.30 am on April 20 as he drove his Vauxhall Vivaro along Ferry Lane in Pembroke Dock.

“His speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

“There was also a strong smell of intoxicants emanating from him.”

When spoken to by the officers, Rowe stated he’d drunk a pint of alcohol approximately an hour before being stopped, however subsequent breathalyser tests showed he had no less than 75 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Rowe, of Hazel Close, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to the offence and was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher who informed the court that the defendant was holidaying in Pembrokeshire at the time of the offence.

“His daughter fell ill and he was attempting to find painkillers for her at a supermarket,” he said. “He’s very remorseful and is now going to lose his job as a delivery driver.”

Rowe, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for a total of 20 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Police tip-off leads to driving ban for Milford motorist

Published

14 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has lost his licence after police received information that the 40-year-old male may have been driving under the influence of drugs.

This week Haverfordwest Magistrates court was told that at around 8.30pm on November 22 officers received a call informing them that Michael Miles was suspected of driving his Peugeot Bipper through Milford Haven after consuming drugs.

Miles was subsequently stopped on Marble Hall Road and when spoken to by the officers, he informed them that he was a drug user. A saliva sample tested positive for cocaine while further tests carried out at the police station showed that Miles had 760 mcg of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine in his system, the legal limit being 50.

Miles, of Milford Road, Steynton, chose to be legally unrepresented in court and pleaded guilty to the drug-driving charge.

The probation service said he was very remorseful for the offence and has since had appointments with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service to help him deal with his drug usage. Miles was served with an interim driving disqualification however as a result of his previous non-payment of fines, his punitive sentencing was adjourned to Thursday, May 7.

“If you pay your outstanding fines before Thursday, you will be fined for this offence,” warned District Judge Mark Layton. “But if you don’t pay, you will be given a custodial sentence.”