
Driver banned after Ebbw Vale motorist dies in fatal crash
Gareth Davies, 43, died at the scene of a collision between his black Renault Clio and a white Ford Ka in Fochriw Road, Pant-y-Waun at around 5.40am on Thursday 13 April 2023.
The driver of the Ford Ka, aged 27 at the time of collision but now 30, was previously found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in a trial at Newport Crown Court in March this year.
However, he was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday 16 May for admitted the offence of causing death by careless driving.
The family of Gareth Davies gave Gwent Police permission to use this video.
Sergeant Shane Draper, the senior investigating officer from the serious collision investigation unit, said: "This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life; I would like to thank all those who assisted in our investigation and offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Gareth Davies.'
"The driver of the Ford Ka did not drive to the required competent and careful driving standard and his poor decision-making to overtake at an inappropriate location has led to devastating consequences."
"The importance of driving carefully at all times is never more poignant than in this case because careless driving ruins lives. This is a reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel – your responsibility isn't just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you."
The man received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and he will be required to carry out 250 hours of unpaid community work.
He will also be disqualified from driving for five years and will need to take an extended test when reapplying for his licence.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Police interview man in connection to Newport dog attack
The attack happened in Cefn Wood, Rogerstone, around 16:45pm on Wednesday, May 29. 76-year-old Tracey White said her Welsh Collie puppy Neo was attacked by a 'black and white Pitbull type dog.' Neo who was attacked with owner Tracey (Image: Tracey White) Tracey told the Argus the dog mauled Neo twice. She said: 'Neo was off his lead and was on his back with his paws in the air totally submissive. 'I saw a man with his dog and asked him if he was friendly, he said he was, so I let Neo go over but then he had him by his chest and his throat.' Tracey added: 'We couldn't get him off him (the dog). I was screaming, and two workmen came running over. 'The workmen managed to get hold of Neo then he (the owner) let go of the lead and he had him a second time. It makes me think, what if it was a child.' Neo's wounds post dog attack (Image: Tracey White) Fortunately, Neo has recovered but police are still investigating the attack. A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: 'We received a report of a dog-on-dog attack in the Cefn Wood area of Rogerstone, Newport, between 4.45pm and 5pm on Wednesday 28 May. 'A man has been interviewed, and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances. 'Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact us via our website, call 101 or direct message us on our Facebook or X social media pages, quoting log reference 2500168835.'


Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
Burglar thought he'd covered his tracks but he didn't account for the cat flap
Burglar thought he'd covered his tracks but he didn't account for the cat flap Ryan Thomas committed two burglaries, stole two cars and carried out a ram raid. But it was a cat flap that proved his undoing Ryan Thomas (Image: Gwent Police ) A creeper burglar was caught after leaving his fingerprints on a cat flap at the house he broke into, a court has heard. Ryan Thomas stole a car from the house and used it to drive to another property from which he stole a second car which he then used in a ramraid on a shop. Swansea Crown Court heard the defendant had a history of committing burglaries and car offences, and that, by the time police identified him as being a suspect in the burglaries, he was already serving a prison sentence for smashing his way into a different shop and stealing thousands of pounds worth of tobacco and e-cigarettes. Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said that on the night of March 31, 2023, in the early hours of the following morning the defendant drove to west Wales from his home in the Merthyr area before breaking into a house in Broad Street in Llandovery. He said the defendant took car keys and a box of bottles of Budweiser beer from the property before stealing the householder's Toyota Yaris vehicle. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter The court heard the victim was unaware her house had been burgled until she woke up but by then Thomas had driven the Yaris to Llandybie where he then broke into a house in Ammanford Road and stole the keys to a Volvo S80 and then the car itself. He used the Volvo to ramraid a shop at the Petro Express garage in Glanaman. Article continues below The prosecutor said that after using the car to damage the shutters of the store the defendant entered the premises wearing plastic bags on his hands and stole cigarettes and alcohol worth up to £5,000 as well as cash from the till before driving off. Thomas then drove the damaged Volvo to Swansea where he torched and abandoned it. The prosecutor said the three burglaries were separately reported to police by the victims, and investigations were launched which subsequently linked them. The court heard crime scene investigators recovered fingerprints from a cat flap at the first property and found the intruder had been able to access the door handle by putting his arm through the flap. The prints were matched to Thomas. Read about the high-tech police forensic lab which has helped to crack some of Wales' most serious crimes The court heard that the Yaris stolen in the first burglary was found around 100ft from the scene of the second burglary - the box of Bud was still in the vehicle and the defendant's fingerprints were also recovered from several of the bottles. Video doorbell footage recovered by officers investigating the second house burglary caught the defendant entering the hallway of the property. Meanwhile, part of the number plate of the Volvo was found at the scene of the garage ramraid. The prosecutor said that by the time police had identified Thomas as a suspect in the three burglaries he was already serving a sentence at HMP Parc, and he said officers "met with considerable difficulties trying to interview him". It was not until July, 2024, that they were able to speak to the defendant, and he answered "no comment" to all questions asked. Ryan Thomas, aged 30, of Darren Las, Merthyr Vale, Merthyr, had previously pleaded guilty to two dwelling burglaries, a commercial burglary, and aggravated vehicle taking when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has previous convictions for 54 offences including domestic and commercial burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, handling stolen goods, and assaults occasioning actual bodily harm. In August, 2024, Thomas was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he and another man smashed their way into Maesycwmmer Stores in Caerphilly and stole thousands of pounds worth of tobacco and e-cigarettes, before leading police on a high-speed chase through Merthyr in a car fitted with false plates. Hywel Davies, for Thomas, said it had taken police a year to interview the defendant, and then nearly another year to charge him. He said the defendant had been putting his time in custody to good use by doing numerous courses, and he said his client had a young daughter who he "misses very very much" and with whom he hoped to regain contact upon his eventual release. Article continues below With one-quarter discounts for his guilty pleas, recorder Christopher Felstead sentenced Thomas to 31 months in prison. He will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. Thomas was banned from driving for a total of five years and three months, and must pass an extended test before he can get a licence.


Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
The huge amount of cash and drugs police found during raid of house in Welsh street
The huge amount of cash and drugs police found during raid of house in Welsh street An inspector said that 'drugs fill our communities with misery, suffering and fear' The drugs discovered by police (Image: Gwent Police ) Police have arrested a man after discovering a huge amount of cocaine and cash at a property in a quiet area of a Welsh city. Officers for Gwent Police discovered the drugs and money after carrying out a warrant at Farmwood Close in Newport on Tuesday. A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug, and acquire/use/possess criminal property. He is currently in custody and officers say their inquiries are continuing. Police have encouraged anyone with information to get in touch with them. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here . A huge quantity of cash was also recovered (Image: Gwent Police ) A statement from Gwent Police read: "Neighbourhood officers seized a large quantity of suspected cocaine and a large amount of cash in Farmwood Close on Tuesday, June 3. Article continues below "Neighbourhood officers arrested a man during a warrant at a property in Farmwood Close, Newport, on Tuesday, June 3. "Officers carried out the warrant in Alway, recovering a large quantity of the suspected class A drug, cocaine, and a large amount of cash. "A man, aged 36, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug, and acquire/use/possess criminal property. "The man, from Newport, remains in police custody at this time, as our inquiries continue." Inspector Roland Giles added: 'We hope this morning's warrant shows that input from the community really does make a difference, so please continue to report your concerns and information to us. 'Intelligence we receive from the public is paramount as we combat the production, sale and supply of illegal drugs in the Newport area. 'Illegal drugs fill our communities with misery, suffering and fear and those involved prey upon the vulnerable in our society. "If you have any concerns about illegal drugs in your area, let us know via our website, by calling 101 or direct messaging us on our Facebook or X pages, so that we can act. 'Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, with information or contact them via their website. Article continues below