A Pembrokeshire limousine operator has been disqualified from running vehicles for 12 months by the industry regulator.

Serious failings in safety standards were amongst the reasons why the Traffic Commissioner for Wales found that Stephen Williams had not run a safe and compliant business.

Mr Wiliams, who operated from Heywood Lane, Tenby, also lost his operator’s licence.

The decision means that he can no longer operate public service vehicles or apply for a licence to run them during the coming year.

He did not attend the public inquiry at Cardiff magistrates court last month.

The commissioner, Nick Jones, heard that government inspectors had issued prohibition notices for defective vehicles belonging to Mr Williams, one of which was safety-critical.

Some vehicles were not given routine safety inspections on time and there was no evidence of drivers carrying out daily defect checks.

There was also concern about connections between Mr Williams and Daniel Rosemeyer, a limousine broker from the south Wales area, who had appeared before the commissioners previously.