News

County Hall bird box project to help fight decline of the swift

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2024

BIRD boxes have been installed at County Hall in Haverfordwest to help tackle the decline of the swift, a much loved summer visitor to the UK.

The Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership (PNP) purchased the boxes as part of a project fully funded by a Welsh Government Local Places for Nature grant.

In total, 46 swift boxes have been installed, with the work undertaken by the Council’s arborist team.

The UK swift population has declined by 60% in the last 30 years and the swift is now on the UK red list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

While the exact reasons for the decline are not fully understood, a reduction in suitable breeding sites is likely to be a contributing factor.

In the UK, swifts predominantly nest in holes in buildings, which modern buildings rarely provide unless they are incorporated into the design.

In addition, existing nesting opportunities in older buildings are becoming increasingly scarce as they are lost when the buildings are refurbished.

The PNP swift box project aims to provide breeding opportunities for swifts while also enhancing the biodiversity value of County Hall and the surrounding area.

In addition to installing the swift boxes, the PNP are creating insect friendly habitats at County Hall and in the wider environment through changes to mowing regimes and habitat management practices.

These actions aim to boost the insect population in Pembrokeshire, on which the swift depends on for food.

It is hoped that the swift boxes will begin attracting prospecting birds next year and that swifts will begin nesting at County Hall from 2026 onwards. A number of swift call speakers have also been installed which will broadcast calls, out of office hours, during the breeding season to encourage swifts to investigate the boxes.

Cllr Jacob Williams, Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services, said: ““This is a worthy initiative, supporting one of Britain’s most loved yet sadly threatened summer birds.

“I’d like to thank the council’s planning service and the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership for securing the funding for this project, which is part of the authority’s duty under the Environment (Wales) Act to enhance biodiversity.

“I look forward to the swifts returning and hopefully seeing them use these boxes in the future.”

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

3 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.