News

Dealership boss speaks of heartbreak and hope after devastating fire

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2024

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR of a prominent car dealership has spoken about the “heartbreak” of making staff redundant for the first time in its history following a “devastating” fire.

Philip Skinner, joint managing director of Ron Skinner and Sons, described “sleepless nights” and “a lot of worry” after the blaze that tore through the company’s Tredegar site in August. However, he also shared his family’s resolve to rebuild, with the recent opening of a showroom marking a “new era” for the business.

***Philip Skinner, joint managing director of Ron Skinner and Sons (Pic: BBC)***

The fire destroyed more than 350 cars and machinery, with estimated losses running into the millions. Eighteen employees were made redundant as a result, a first in the company’s decades-long history.

The fire, reported early on Saturday, August 16, consumed the entire Tredegar building.

“By the time I got here, the whole building was ablaze. I couldn’t believe the scale of it,” said Mr Skinner. Firefighters worked only on the building’s perimeter due to the fire’s intensity, which was exacerbated by the stock.

Philip and his brother Mark, also a managing director, were left in shock but knew they needed to inform their mother, 88-year-old Rachel Skinner, who co-founded the business in 1968 with her late husband, Ron Skinner.

“She had a good 10-minute cry,” said Philip. “But by that afternoon, she told us, ‘Boys, roll up your sleeves and get it put back up.’”

Rebuilding the business

The journey to rebuild has been challenging. “Nothing was recoverable—everything was completely destroyed, even cars outside were burnt to shells,” said Philip. Wages and large bills had to be met despite the devastation, pushing the family business to its financial limits.

Family and friends rallied to help, contributing funds to stabilize the company, which also operates showrooms in Cardiff, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire. Despite this support, talks with insurers made clear that job losses were unavoidable.

“It was heartbreaking to see people I’ve worked with for so long take voluntary redundancy and leave,” Philip admitted.

While the fire and redundancies hit the company hard, the Pembrokeshire showroom continues to thrive, playing a vital role in maintaining the business’s regional presence. “Our Pembrokeshire site has always been a stronghold, and the community here has shown immense support,” said Mr Skinner.

The company’s new Tredegar showroom opened recently, smaller than the old site but full of promise. Sales manager Jonathan Robinson, who has worked with the company for 12 years, said: “The response has been incredible. It was so heartening to see the community rally around us despite Storm Bert.”

Philip Skinner is optimistic about the future. “It feels like going back 25 years to one of our oldest sites and starting fresh. This is the beginning of a new era for Ron Skinner and Sons.”

Determined family: The Skinners have rebuilt the business after fire destruction (Pic: Ron Skinner and Sons).

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.