News

MP encourages households to get ‘Winter Ready’

Published

12 years ago

January 6, 2014

STEPHEN CRABB, Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire, has today called on his constituents to ensure they are taking advantage of the free help and support that could save them money on their energy bills.

The recent hike in energy prices has prompted action by the Government to help people heat their homes this winter.

The local MP has welcomed the steps announced in the Autumn Statement which will help save £50 off the average householder’s electricity and gas bills.

These savings will be funded through the next wave of Government action to tackle tax avoiders. The Government will be providing a £1000 stamp duty rebate for all new householders who make energy efficiency improvements in addition to the new competition test which has been used to crack down on energy companies and deliver a £5 rebate for all customers.

Stephen is encouraging constituents to focus on three main areas to take to make sure they are doing all they can to keep their bills down and their homes warm:

1. Home insulation: with an average of £1 in every £4 spent on heating wasted due to poor insulation, one of the best ways to keep energy bills down this winter is to insulate homes. Loft insulation could save the average household around £180 per year, with cavity wall insulation saving up to £140 per year. All of the big energy companies provide some form of free energy efficiency, depending on an individual’s circumstances. This is provided through the Government’s Energy Companies Obligation Scheme (ECO). The Green Deal is also available to let householders and businesses pay for some or all of the cost of energy-saving improvements to their properties, over time, through savings on their energy bills.

2. Get the best deal: it’s important for householders to check that they are on the best gas and electricity tariff to suit their needs. There are lots of deals and fixed prices to help keep control of the costs. Householders should contact their supplier and make sure they are getting the best deal. There are also a number of websites offering price comparisons. The Government has already made switching easier by making the market move to 24 hour switching.

3. Financial support: Constituents may be entitled to extra support from the UK Government and their energy supplier if they meet certain criteria. The Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300, Cold Weather Payments which pay £25 every week of a cold spell, and the Warm Home Discount which takes £135 off the bills of two million households, are available to help the most vulnerable with their energy.

Stephen Crabb MP said,

“I know from talking to many people just what pressure some households are under in trying to keep their homes warm in the winter. It is an expensive time of year. We also have many rural households reliant on off-grid energy, like heating oil and LPG, aside from their electricity bills.”

“I want all my constituents to be Winter Ready and it can be difficult to understand what extra help is available. This simple advice is designed to help people see how they can cut energy use and help keep bills under control this winter.”

“Householders can check what grants and financial support are available by using the Department of Energy and Climate Change online calculator www.gov.uk/energy-grant-calculator.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

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

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

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

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

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.