News

Council ‘formally contact’ Police

Published

12 years ago

February 27, 2014

LAST WEEK, The Pembrokeshire Herald revealed that Pembrokeshire County Council had contacted Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the ongoing scandal surrounding massive grant payments made in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.

It appeared as though the Council had rowed back from a formal referral, despite assurances given to two local Councillors that such a referral would be made. It is not clear what factor caused the formal referral’s delay ahead of last Friday’s Extraordinary Meeting.

At the time, we published two documents which appeared to suggest that the architectural firm acting as agents for Baron of the Bedsits Cathal McCosker, had sent a different tender specification to a local company than it had sent to the thirteen other firms bidding for the work.

Last week, a Council spokesperson told The Herald:

“We can confirm that we have been in contact with the police. In the event that we are satisfied that a fraud has been committed against the Council, we will formally refer the matter.”

On Tuesday this week The Herald were told by Pembrokeshire County Council:

“We can confirm that the matter has now been formally referred to the police.

“There will be no further comment while an investigation is in progress.”

The formal referral to the Police comes after the discredited IPPG administration in County Hall attempted to block a proper investigation into the affair, which has been extensively covered in Pembrokeshire’s Best Magazine and pursued by Hakin Councillor Mike Stoddart. At that meeting, scandal-hit IPPG leader Jamie Adams, who is shortly to face an inquiry into his own expenses claims, co-ordinated an IPPG smear.

The referral to the Police leaves Council Officers, who assured the members of the Council’s Audit Committee that there was nothing wrong with the operation of the scheme, in a very difficult position.Gwyn Evans, the Council’s European Officer, pictured opposite, in particular assured Audit Committee members that there were NO problems that would be found in relation to the Commercial Property Grants Scheme and the Town Heritage Initiative.

On the basis of the Council’s own statements above, it seems as though a problem has been found.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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

10 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

10 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.