Crime

Drunk motorist sentenced after near-fatal crash in Milford Haven

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been sentenced by a district judge after admitting to crashing her car into a telegraph pole while over twice the legal drink-drive limit. The collision, which narrowly avoided a tragedy involving a mother and her baby, occurred on Milton Crescent late at night on September 28.

The driver, 38-year-old Louise Sheil, was found by police shortly after 11:30 am near the scene of the crash. Officers were called to the area following reports that a black Audi A5 had mounted the pavement and struck a telegraph pole, narrowly missing a pram carrying a baby.

When officers arrived, they found Sheil standing near the entrance to Milton Crescent, with the damaged Audi parked nearby. According to Crown Prosecutor Nia James, “She smelt of intoxicants, and the keys of the Audi were on her.” When questioned by police, Sheil admitted, “Yeah, I hit a f****** post over there.”

The mother involved in the incident, Deanna Potter, had been walking with her baby, Danny, when the car veered off the road. The telegraph pole, which absorbed the impact of the crash, is believed to have saved them from being struck directly. Potter recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating that after the collision, the driver appeared indifferent and attempted to leave the scene, but her car was too badly damaged to flee.

Police arrested Sheil at the scene after she failed four attempts to provide a roadside breath test. At the station, she gave a breath test reading of 80 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

In court, Sheil pleaded guilty to the offence of drink-driving. Her solicitor, Jess Hill, explained that Sheil had been driving a short distance of just two miles to pick up her partner from a party and acknowledged that she was over the limit.

Sheil was disqualified from driving for 20 months and fined £150. Additionally, she was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £16 victim surcharge.

While Sheil faces the consequences of her actions, it is a relief that no one was seriously injured. Deanna Potter and her baby, although shaken, are reported to be unharmed. The damaged telegraph pole and pram bear witness to what could have been a much more tragic outcome.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 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

12 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

12 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.