Donna Owen, 39, of Portfield Avenue, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with drink-driving after being stopped by police on the A406 at Johnston on May 15.

Donna Owen, 39, of Portfield Avenue, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with drink-driving after being stopped by police on the A406 at Johnston on May 15. Owen’s lawyer, David James, told the court that his client has had an alcohol problem for a long time and has been harming herself through excessive drinking. He said that Owen drinks up to two bottles of spirits a day, each with an alcohol content of between 14% and 14.5%. James explained that Owen’s drinking stems from a series of abusive relationships and that her former partner was no longer able to see her young children. “This causes her to drink every day, and in so many ways my client has hit rock bottom,” he said. “She is crying out for support.” Probation officer Julie Norman, who was asked to comment on the case as a result of Donna Owen’s high alcohol reading, endorsed James’ mitigation. Norman told the court that Owen had been disqualified from driving in 2016 for a previous drink-driving charge. “She seriously needs support with her alcohol problems and her emotional wellbeing issues,” Ms Norman said. “I am confident that the probation service can help her and there are some realistic prospects for her rehabilitation.” Owen was sentenced to twelve months’ community service, during which she had to carry out twenty days of rehabilitation activities. These include working with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service and any other agency identified by the probation service. She was disqualified from driving for three years. She was fined £120 and must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.