Crime
Romantic getaway ends in court for drink-driving plumber
Third conviction for Birmingham man who drank on beach before driving
A ROMANTIC weekend in Pembrokeshire ended in court for a 43-year-old plumber after he was caught drink-driving following a tip-off that he had been swigging cider in a car park before getting behind the wheel.
Police were alerted at around 10:30am on June 15, after a report of a man seen drinking from a can of Strongbow cider in a Saundersfoot car park before driving away in a silver Peugeot.
Officers intercepted the vehicle travelling east on the A40 near the St Clears roundabout. It was being driven by Richard Powell, of Hollinwell Place, Birmingham, with his girlfriend in the passenger seat.
A roadside breath test gave a reading of 99mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. Further tests at the police station confirmed a reading of 87mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Repeat offender
The court heard that this is Powell’s third conviction for drink-driving, following previous offences in 2004 and 2009.
“He’d come to Pembrokeshire on a romantic weekend and intended to propose to his girlfriend,” said his solicitor, Mike Kelleher. “But as they prepared to leave, his partner wasn’t feeling well and very foolishly, the defendant offered to drive, as he felt OK.”
Drinking on the beach
Probation officer Catrin Jones told the court that Powell had been drinking heavily during his holiday to celebrate the planned proposal. He drank on the beach that morning as a “farewell to Wales,” believing he was still fit to drive.
Shockingly, he admitted to drinking two pints of Carling before arriving at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for Tuesday’s hearing.
“He began drinking at the age of 13 and was alcohol dependent by 35,” said Ms Jones. “He now drinks twice a week, but during binge sessions, which happen roughly once a month, he consumes up to 18 cans of lager. Alcohol is clearly an issue for Mr Powell.”
Sentencing
Powell pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without a valid licence, and driving without insurance.
He was banned from driving for 22 months and sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity days and a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. He was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.
Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.
The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:
- Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
- Common assault
- Assault by beating
No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.
Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.
Crime
Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges
Defendant remanded in custody
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.
David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- A second count of assault
- Criminal damage
- An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
- A public order offence
Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.
Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”
A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.
The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.
Crime
Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults
Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing
A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.
Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.
During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.
Charges Include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Intentional non-fatal strangulation
- Common assault on a woman
- Criminal damage in a domestic context
- Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
- Breach of bail conditions
Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.
Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.
No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.
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