News

Pembrokeshire councillors engage in heated debate over Bluestone loan

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2023

IN A RECENT exchange between Councillor Mike Stoddart and Councillor Alan Dennison, the Pembrokeshire Herald witnessed a heated debate regarding the Bluestone loan and shares controversy within Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC).

The discussion, on The Herald’s Facebook page, shed light on past and present issues, revealing political tensions and highlighting the need for accountability within the council.

Councillor Stoddart commended Councillor Dennison for his efforts to uncover the truth behind the Bluestone loan and shares fiasco. However, he emphasised that he had been addressing this issue for more than ten years. Stoddart directed readers to his website, oldgrumpy.co.uk, where he had previously published details on the matter.

Stoddart pointed out that the controversial financial arrangement was devised during the tenure of the Independent Political Group (IPG), then led by Councillor John Davies. He expressed disappointment that Dennison had recently joined the IPG despite promising to be truly independent and represent the voice of Milford North constituents.

Councillor Dennison defended himself, asserting that his election address remained unchanged and that his affiliation with like-minded individuals did not harm the interests of Milford North residents or any other county residents.

He reminded Stoddart of his previous support for the Independents’ attempts to keep council tax increases lower than the current administration desired. Dennison claimed that his questions aimed to understand the council’s returns from the Bluestone shares and any actions being taken to maximise income.

Cllr Alan Dennison (Pic PCC)

The exchange continued, with additional participants joining the discussion. Marcel Laval raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, highlighting the need for experienced project managers instead of political influence.

Alan Dennison concurred, expressing the view that politicians should be kept away from projects and the current administration should be held accountable for financial mismanagement.

The Pembrokeshire Herald stepped in to provide clarity on the Bluestone loan issue. The paper stated that when the IPG converted debt to equity, the right for the public to use the Blue Lagoon was relinquished.

The Herald also reported that the council had suffered a substantial loss of approximately 95% on its investment. It further emphasised that the public’s guaranteed right to use the Blue Lagoon pool had been lost as a result.

The debate continued, with Stoddart, Dennison, and others exchanging remarks on various projects and financial decisions made by the council. The discussion highlighted concerns over the Ocky White development, the multi-storey car park, the Castle, PCC-owned shops in Bridge Street, the airport, and other matters.

Alan Dennison pledged to fight against the indiscriminate waste of public funds, particularly regarding the Motorworld development. He urged Stoddart and others to focus on more pressing issues like better housing and lower business rates.

As the debate unfolded, the different viewpoints expressed underscored the need for transparency, accountability, and effective governance within the Pembrokeshire County Council.

The discussions have served as an obvious reminder that our councillors must prioritise the interests and well-being of their constituents above political affiliations.

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.