Crime

Plaques unveiled in Haverfordwest to honour HIV charity pioneer Terry Higgins

Published

1 month ago

December 2, 2025

Two blue plaques mark the birthplace of the man whose death led to creation of Terrence Higgins Trust

THE LIFE and legacy of Terry Higgins – the Welshman whose death spurred the founding of Europe’s first HIV charity – were formally commemorated in Haverfordwest today (Dec 2) with the unveiling of two blue plaques at his birthplace.

A crowd gathered at Priory Court on Winch Lane at 12:00pm to witness the unveiling, which was followed by a reception attended by family, friends, supporters and representatives from Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s largest HIV organisation.

Terry Higgins was born at the former Priory Mount Hospital on 10 June 1945 and spent the first eighteen years of his life in Haverfordwest before joining the Royal Navy. In 1982, aged just thirty-seven, he became one of the first people in the UK to die from an AIDS-related illness.

Moved by grief and determined to ensure no one else faced the same isolation, his friends and partner established Terrence Higgins Trust in his name. More than four decades later, the charity now provides HIV services, testing, and support across the UK – including in Wales – and continues to play a central role in national HIV policy and public awareness.

Blue plaques mark birthplace

Two plaques – one in Welsh and one in English – were installed on the stone entrance pillars at Glebe House, marking the first time Terry Higgins has been formally commemorated in the town where he grew up.

The project was delivered jointly by Terrence Higgins Trust and Dr Simon Hancock, curator of Haverfordwest Town Museum.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Hancock said: “I am delighted Terry Higgins is finally being commemorated in the town of his birth. Half of his short life was lived in Haverfordwest where he was educated and where he forged his earliest relationships.”

“Important to remember how he lived”

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said the plaques mark not just a moment of remembrance, but a reminder of the humanity at the centre of Britain’s HIV story.

“Terry is best known for how he died, and for the grief and love for him which led to the creation of Terrence Higgins Trust,” he said. “But it’s really important to remember how he lived. A proud gay Welshman, still remembered with affection in the local community, by his friends and his surviving partner. Terry deserves to be honoured in Haverfordwest, in the place of his birth, as we mark what would have been his 80th year.”

Among those attending were Martyn Butler OBE, Terry’s friend and one of the charity’s co-founders, alongside civic representatives and supporters who have backed the memorial project.

How to support

Donations towards the plaques and future local commemorations can be made at tht.events/cymru-terry, or by texting RIBBON 5 to 70480 to donate £5, or RIBBON 10 to donate £10.

Images: Martin Cavaney Photography

Crime

Man accused of GBH, threats to kill and weapons offence remanded on bail

Published

8 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Court Reporter

Multiple serious allegations before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court

A MAN accused of a series of serious violent and public order offences has been remanded on conditional bail by magistrates.

Jamie Clews, aged 39, of Spring Gardens, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 12) in connection with multiple alleged offences spanning 2024 and 2025.

The court heard that Clews is charged with threatening a person with an offensive weapon or bladed article on January 1, 2024.

He also faces an allegation of wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, contrary to section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act, said to have been committed on June 7, 2024.

Further charges include making threats to kill on June 1, 2024, and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, also alleged to have occurred on January 1, 2024.

In addition, Clews is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on December 21, 2025.

The court was also told that on January 7, 2026, Clews was arrested by a police officer for breaking, or being likely to break, bail conditions, an issue which was addressed during the hearing.

Magistrates dealt with the case as an ongoing matter and remanded Clews on conditional bail. The specific conditions were not outlined in open court.

The case was adjourned for a further hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on a date yet to be fixed.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man fined for harassment offence

Published

8 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Court Reporter

Guilty plea entered at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been fined after admitting a harassment offence.

Ryan Winterford, aged 33, of Cuckoo Wood, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 12) where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of harassment without violence.

The offence, contrary to section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, was committed on December 25, 2025.

Winterford entered his guilty plea at the first hearing, and the conviction was formally recorded by the court on Monday.

Magistrates imposed a fine of £153 and ordered Winterford to pay prosecution costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Crime

Man admits harassment, assault and sharing intimate image

Published

8 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Guilty pleas entered at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court

A MAN with no fixed address has admitted a series of offences including harassment, assault, and sharing an intimate image without consent.

Brandon Pugh, aged 26, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 12) where he pleaded guilty to three separate offences committed in Pembrokeshire last autumn.

The court heard that on October 30, 2025, Pugh carried out harassment without violence, contrary to section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

He also admitted assault by beating, an offence under section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, committed on November 6, 2025.

In addition, Pugh pleaded guilty to sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state without their consent, an offence under section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, also committed on November 6, 2025.

All three guilty pleas were entered on December 23, 2025, and were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

As part of the outcome, Pugh was ordered to pay £200 in compensation. He was also ordered to pay costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.