News

Rift between Neyland councillors now ‘as wide as Grand Canyon’

Published

12 months ago

December 18, 2024

THE DIVISIONS within Neyland Town Council deepened further this week after a controversial attempt to block an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) requested by two councillors.

Councillors Brian Rothero and David Devauden formally requested the EGM on December 4, following the council’s decision to cancel its scheduled meetings on December 2 and December 9. According to Standing Orders, an EGM can be convened by two councillors if the chairman or mayor fails to act on a written request within seven days.

As such, the EGM was arranged for Tuesday, December 17.

“The standing orders were followed to the letter, and all relevant Welsh Government laws were adhered to,” said Councillor Steve Thomas.

However, just two hours before the meeting was due to begin, Neyland Town Council announced on social media that the EGM was not lawfully convened and would not be recognised as an official meeting. The council also disabled comments on the post, sparking further controversy.

Despite the council’s position, Councillors Rothero, Thomas, Devauden, and Steve Campodonic attended the meeting, alongside five members of the public. Notably absent were the mayor, Councillor Peter Hay, and councillors Ash Phelan, Ellen Phelan, Mike Harry, Simon Hancock, Angie Thomas, Alison Richards, and the clerk, Libby Matthews.

***Supported EGM: Cllr David Devauden***

“It’s an absolute disgrace that they haven’t attended,” Councillor Thomas said during the meeting. “They are aware of the questions that were going to be asked of them, so this is a total show of cowardice.”

The EGM was called amidst growing concerns about transparency within the council. The agenda included serious allegations such as:

Mocking Remembrance Sunday attendees: Claims that two councillors had mocked former servicemen at Neyland’s Remembrance Sunday service.
Community Hub losses: Allegations of an £82,000 loss at the Community Hub over two years.
Christmas Fayre controversy: Claims that the council jeopardised this year’s Christmas events by suggesting online that the Christmas Fayre had been cancelled.
Misuse of social media: Allegations that Mayor Peter Hay used social media inappropriately, bringing the council into disrepute.

“These issues directly affect the people of Neyland, and they have every right to know what’s happening,” said Councillor Rothero.

“This council’s lack of transparency is shocking. If the Hub is losing this much money, how much longer can it survive? I’ve been asking these questions for months, but the answers are being withheld.”

Public frustration has also grown, with residents airing their grievances online.

“There is clearly a divide here,” commented local resident Jessica Hatchett. “I’m fed up with all the drama.” Frank Rowland added that the division had become “more like the Grand Canyon.”

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Mayor Hay defended the council’s stance, claiming the correct procedure for calling an EGM had not been followed.

“It was not an official town council meeting,” he said. When asked to clarify what the correct procedure entailed, the mayor declined to comment.

The next meeting of Neyland Town Council is scheduled for January 6, and Councillor Rothero urged residents to attend.

“We need as many locals as possible to show up so we can finally get answers to our questions,” he said.

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.