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PORT TALBOT: Drug-driver jailed after killing much-loved ex-council leader

Zack Mason, an unaccompanied learner driver, was over the legal cannabis limit when he struck 85-year-old Thomas Noel Crowley in Port Talbot.

The tragic incident happened on Water Street in Sandfields at around 5.45pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Mr Crowley, a former leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, was crossing the road when he was hit by Mason’s blue Skoda Fabia.

He was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with severe head injuries, a fractured rib, and a fractured pelvis.

Sadly, Mr Crowley, described as a “much loved and much respected” man, died three days later on December 10.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Mason, then aged 20, had pulled out of the Blanco’s hotel car park where he worked and driven just 25 metres before the collision.

Prosecutor Hannah George stated that Mr Crowley was “established on the road crossing” and “there to be seen by vehicles using the road.”

Mason, now 22, was arrested at the scene. A blood test later revealed he had 2.3mg of cannabis in 100ml of blood, exceeding the legal limit of two.

In his police interview, Mason claimed a motorist had “flashed” him out of the car park, distracting him as he thanked them.

He admitted consuming cannabis two days prior and acknowledged it was a “stupid” mistake to drive unaccompanied on a provisional licence.

Mr Crowley’s family described him in a moving statement as a man of “fairness and compassion” and a “champion of social equality.”

Known as Noel, he was a well-known community stalwart and a devout Catholic who lived his entire life in Port Talbot.

He had been with his wife Anne for 70 years, and the court heard she now sleeps each night with the hat he was wearing when he was knocked down.

A bricklayer by trade, he rose to become deputy manager for American contracting company Hecketts at the local steelworks.

He was awarded a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his community service and was also a Deputy Lieutenant and Freeman of the Borough.

His family said he “greeted everyone with a smile, had a wonderful ability to make you laugh and was a great storyteller.”

He was also a key carer for his grandson Sam, who has autism, and was “missed in every tiny detail of the day.”

Mason, of Lorraine Close, Sandfields, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the drug limit and driving without a licence.

The court heard his provisional licence had been revoked the previous year after he was caught driving without insurance.

David Singh, defending, said Mason took full responsibility and had stopped using cannabis since the incident.

He argued it was not a case of speeding or mobile phone use, but Mason had “clearly not been concentrating” with “devastating consequences.”

Judge Huw Rees said no sentence could mark the value of a life lost, describing Mr Crowley as “held in high esteem by all.”

PC Luis Tobenas from South Wales Police said: “Zack Mason took the decision to drive uninsured, without a licence and when he had recently consumed cannabis to a level exceeding the legal limit for driving. As a result, he cost Noel Crowley his life, and left his family and the wider community completely devastated.

“Mason will now have to live with what he has done for the rest of his life.

“Our thoughts remain with Mr. Crowley’s family, and we hope that this verdict gives them some comfort.”

Mason received a one-third discount for his guilty pleas and was sentenced to four years in prison.

He will serve half of the sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Mason has also been banned from driving for seven years and must pass an extended test to regain his licence.

Over ‘300 skilled jobs’ secured for Port Talbot Steel works green transition plan

Tata Steel say the new jobs in the local supply chain will be part of new contracts signed with Bridgend-based companies Darlow Lloyd & Sons, Wernick Buildings, and Swansea-based business, Andrew Scott Ltd. 

Darlow Lloyd & Sons will play a key role in the initial phases of the project, overseeing excavation, recycling, infrastructure, and drainage works essential to the site’s transition to Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking.

Director, Rhys Lloyd, said: “We are delighted to announce this partnership which will boost employment across Neath Port Talbot and lay the foundation for future growth across the manufacturing sector.

“Our involvement in this transformation is not only a privilege, but fundamental to maintaining our strong presence and heritage at the site.

“This collaboration safeguards our experienced workforce and allows us to appoint local experts with transferable skillsets to this once-in-a-lifetime project.”

Critical infrastructure, including the construction of a new scrap yard to manage the inflow of UK-sourced used steel as a feedstock for the new Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), will be completed by Andrew Scott Ltd. 

David Evan Williams, Civil Contracts Director said: “Having worked major on civil and construction projects at Port Talbot since the late 1800s, our involvement in this transformation is not only a privilege, but fundamental to maintaining our strong presence and heritage at the site. 

“We have committed to supporting local talent, ensuring that we fill positions with our skilled workforce, alongside experienced former Tata Steel workers and experts in the supply chain. As work progresses, we aim to provide further opportunities for individuals in surrounding communities to help deliver this exciting vision.”

Ben Wernick, Managing Director, Wernick Buildings added: “We are thrilled to bring our wealth of experience in the modular construction sector to deliver the centrepiece of Port Talbot’s contractor village; an 8500 square metre space spanning three buildings, comprised of offices and welfare zones.

“90% of the workers we employ to build this impressive space will be from communities surrounding the steelworks – spanning Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Cardiff – allowing us to nurture and grow regional talent.”

UK Industry Minister, Sarah Jones commented: “Today’s news is a major boost for communities in South Wales, delivering high-skilled opportunities for local people, and will help Welsh steelmaking to drive growth and attract further investment as part of our Plan for Change.”  

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “We have supported Tata Steel with £500m to safeguard Welsh steelmaking and I’m pleased that the company is itself investing in the local supply chain, securing hundreds of jobs and driving economic growth.

“It is fantastic news for the South Wales economy that local firms have secured these major contracts to deliver the transformation of steelmaking at Port Talbot.”

Lloyd Bryant, Head of Infrastructure & Amenities, Tata Steel, concluded: “The expertise of these long-standing contractors is key to the success of our transformation. 

“We look forward to collaborating with them, under Sir Robert McAlpine’s supervision, to safeguard the future of sustainable steelmaking in the area, securing jobs and ensuring the long-term viability of steelmaking in Wales for generations.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AxsEV-Y1Ys

#AndrewScottLtd #construction #DarlowLloydSons #industry #PortTalbot #PortTalbotSteelworks #steelworks #TataSteel #WernickBuildings

South Wales Police have issued a dispersal notice preventing groups congregating on the beach at Mariners Quay in Port Talbot after reports of antisocial behaviour.

https://swanseabaynews.com/2023/06/08/police-issue-dispersal-notice-after-antisocial-behaviour-on-a-port-talbot-beach/ #PortTalbot #NeathPortTalbot #SouthWalesPolice