News

Santa’s message to parents – the best present for toddlers is a healthy, flu free Christmas

Published

12 years ago

January 6, 2014

A WELSH Father Christmas has joined health professionals in backing a campaign to immunise toddlers to prevent flu this Christmas.

Helping publicise a new, free online game playable at Beatflu.org, Santa’s message to parents of 2 and 3 year olds at a grotto in central Cardiff was to contact their GP surgery this week to ensure their children can enjoy Christmas without flu.

This year has seen the introduction of a free nasal spray to protect toddlers aged between 2 and 3 (on 1 September 2013). The age group has been selected because their immune systems are not as well developed as older children and whilst flu is miserable at any age, younger children can be at risk of more serious complications of flu.

However, according to the latest statistics, less than a third of the 62,000 two and three year olds eligible have been immunised so far in Wales – just 31%.

The current free vaccines are available from GPs but stocks will reach their expiry date during December and by early January at the latest, after which the likelihood of flu circulating is more likely. So parents who haven’t had their toddler immunised yet should act now.

Parents and children visiting the Santa’s grotto in Cardiff were told by Father Christmas: “Nobody wants to let flu ruin Christmas, a very special holiday that I know is all little boys’ and girls’ favourite time of the year. The best present you can give your toddler is a healthy Christmas.

“Parents can help prevent their 2 or 3 year old from falling ill and missing out on festive fun by booking them in at the GP for a free flu vaccination, which this year is in the form of a nasal spray rather than a scary injection.”

Santa also played the new online ‘Beat the Bugs’ game with some of his little visitors in Cardiff, which can be played online at the Beat Flu and Curwch Ffliw websites or Facebook pages.

Dr Zed Sibanda, consultant paediatrician at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, explained further: “Two and three year olds are particularly at risk of serious complications of flu for a number of reasons. Not least, their immune systems are not yet fully developed so they can’t fight off the flu as well older children and adults.

“Flu is easily spread within families and also, because of the nature of play groups, toddlers are often in very close proximity to each other where they are especially susceptible to any circulating germs. Vaccination can help to stop the spread by protecting individuals and creating ‘herd’ immunity.”

For most healthy children, influenza (or ‘flu’) is usually just as unpleasant for children as adults, and means a few miserable days at home.

However, parents should be aware that flu can sometimes result in serious complications, especially for young children or those with long term health problems, such as asthma, for whom it can even be life threatening.

As Dr Sibanda added, “Two and three year olds cannot understand and articulate if they are starting to come down with flu like symptoms – so flu might not be diagnosed until quite late compared to an adult who would be able to assess their own state of health more easily.

“This means more likelihood of potential complications and unnecessary suffering for the child. But this can all be prevented by one simple trip to the GP to for the nasal spray vaccination.”

The traditional ‘flu jab’ is also being offered free to other eligible groups such as those aged 65 and over, those in ‘at risk’ groups from six months of age with long term health conditions, plus all pregnant women.

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.