Thirty-three-year-old Jonathan Lawrence, of Oakdale, Newport, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving his Suzuki Swift vehicle whilst over the limit; causing damage to two caravan wall panels at Kiln Park, to the value of £200; and being in possession of 0.3 grammes of cannabis resin, when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that on Sunday, October 11, at around 12.30 am, police received a call from security guards at the holiday park who had stopped a vehicle near the exit, whose driver they believed to be over the limit.
“One of the occupants of one of the park’s caravans contacted the security guards to say that a member of their group had become angry and aggressive, and they were concerned that he was going to drive whilst drunk,” she said.
“Staff managed to stop the vehicle on site, and when police arrived Mr. Lawrence failed a breath test and he was arrested and taken to the police station where he gave a reading of 85 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath.
“Officers inspected the caravan and found three separate holes in the walls, with the defendant’s brother telling officers that there had been a disagreement. Whilst in the station, officers discovered the cannabis in a zipped compartment of Mr. Lawrence’s wallet,” added Ms Morgan.
The defendant’s solicitor Mark Layton told the court that his client was surprised to see the cannabis resin in his wallet, and that it must have been there for years.
“He accepted the damage he has caused to the caravan and went to pay for it without hesitation the following day,” said Mr. Layton.
“Mr. Lawrence had been in an argument with his brother and moved his car as he was concerned that it might get damaged. He went to find somewhere he could park and sleep, and was in no way intending on leaving the holiday park in his vehicle.
“His intentions were good and to get away from a potentially volatile situation,” he added.
Magistrates disqualified Mr. Lawrence from driving for 17 months and fined him £300 for the offence.
He was fined £200 for the damage charge and given no separate penalty for the drugs possession offence.
Mr. Lawrence was also ordered to pay costs of £85, a court charge of £180 and a £30 victim surcharge.