News

Bright future ahead for Service’s young intern

Published

12 years ago

January 6, 2014

MID & WEST WALES Fire & Rescue Service’s Finance Department has been part of an innovative intern scheme, resulting in a Carmarthenshire student receiving second place in the University of the West of England’s (UWE) Intern of the Year award.

The UWE Undergraduate Internship Scheme runs from June to September each year and provides funding and support to employers who wish to recruit UWE graduates from the most recent graduating cohort.

Earlier this year, Naomi Sillars, who is from Carmarthenshire, began a 13 week work placement in the Service’s finance department. Naomi is studying for a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and was able to assist the department in preparing the end of year statement of accounts, assist with the annual external audit process, carry out routine accounting processes, attend the Fire Authority’s Resources Management Committee meeting and attend a Welsh Government Advisory Group meeting. Naomi also successfully completed a project to automate parts of the quarterly budget reporting saving the Finance department hours of routine work.

In recognition of Naomi’s hard work, the finance department nominated her for the Intern of the Year award at the “Celebrating UWE Talent” awards ceremony held in Bristol on November 13, 2013. The ceremony recognises the fantastic achievements of UWE students through hundreds of national and international work experience placements and internships.

MAWWFRS’s Head of Finance, Steven Flather said, “Naomi has left a real lasting legacy in the department and as such we felt compelled to nominate her for the Intern of the Year award. She excelled beyond our expectations and out of the hundreds of students who were nominated, it is a fantastic achievement for Naomi to come second.

Director of Resources Liz Aitken said, “We are really pleased to have been part of this scheme and able to offer the opportunities and support which many young people seek from prospective employers as they prepare to leave university and enter into the workplace”.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

4 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

4 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.