News

Tenby: Cabinet supports new swimming pool for town

Published

3 years ago

September 6, 2022

James Hemingray

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s Cabinet has given its support to a new swimming pool being built in Tenby.

The current pool was built in 1973 but has been described as ‘tired’ and ‘not fit for purpose’.

It attracts a large number of visitors and school visits each year and is described as a ‘key local facility’ in the Cabinet report.

Tenby South councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall submitted a notice of motion, calling for a working group to be set up to look at preferred options for a new site.

At the Cabinet meeting on Monday (Sept 5) she called for a ‘speedy’ review and decision.

Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall said: “This is not about if, but about and inevitably where. It does seem odd with all focus on the cost of living crisis to be talking about swimming pools but we should be clear we are not talking about luxuries.

“This is about well-being, health and fitness. The town, that this weekend will be hosting Ironman for the tenth time, we should not underestimate the impact it has made in focussing people’s minds on better health or the contribution that swimming makes to better physical and mental health.

“We also know that a new pool is required as part of the integrated health and leisure options in south Pembrokeshire.

“We also know that access to Bluestone has changed. There is a commercial opportunity and a chance to give access to fund swims for residents across the county.

“We have an ageing pool, not fit for purpose and creeking through each repair and maintenance programme.

“My concern, and the reason for the notice of motion, was that people were drifting off with a range of ideas for a location of the pool and grand master-planning exercises.

“My concern is that something happens to the existing pool whilst we are still talking about a location to replace it.

“We need a speedy review of location options and to make an equally speedy decision about a preferred location.”

Cabinet member Rhys Sinnett said: “We agree as a cabinet that a group does need to be set up where we would like to see some flexibility, it doesn’t need to be politically balanced. I think looking at the local membership in the south area and around Tenby it is politically balanced anyway but I would ask that we keep this group tight.”

Cllr Sinnett described the pool as ‘tired’ adding that he would like to see a single option being discussed by the group.

Cllr David Simpson said this problem had been ‘on the boil’ for some time adding the setting up of a group was the way forward.

Cllr Paul Miller said he was ‘very supportive’ of the plans to get the issue resolved quickly.

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.