News

Wales honours selfless service in New Year list

Published

12 months ago

January 1, 2025

SEVERAL people in Wales have been recognised for their selfless service to others in this year’s New Year Honours List. Among the recipients is Wales rugby great Sir Gerald Davies, who admitted he was left “dumbstruck” after being awarded a knighthood.

The 79-year-old former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing has been honoured for his services to rugby union and voluntary and charitable work in Wales. Sir Gerald is one of a select group of Welsh players to win three Grand Slams.

“It is an amazing honour,” Sir Gerald said. “I am humbled by it and moved by the thought that somebody, somewhere, has thought it worthy of giving me that honour.”

A total of 58 people from Wales have received honours in HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025, published by the Cabinet Office. This year’s recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, with a focus on community champions and selfless giving.

The honours list highlights the contributions of people from under-represented communities and various sectors, celebrating their impact throughout the nation.

Community champions and cultural leaders recognised

Richard Parry from Cardiff has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to music and choral singing. Over his career, he has accompanied some of Wales’ and the UK’s leading performers, including Rebecca Evans, Katherine Jenkins, and Rhys Meirion. Richard has served as accompanist for the internationally acclaimed Pendyrus Male Choir since 1973 and was awarded Life Membership in 1994.

Diane Locke from Penrhiwceiber also receives a BEM for her services to the community in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Known for her commitment to community development, Diane played a pivotal role in transforming Lee Gardens Pool into a thriving community hub and supports vulnerable groups through programmes like Baby Basics.

Moawia Bin-Sufyan from Cardiff has been honoured with an MBE for his work in community cohesion and interfaith relations in South Wales. With over 20 years of dedication, he has been a driving force behind initiatives promoting diversity and healthcare within the Welsh Islamic community.

In sport, Mold athlete Sabrina Fortune receives an MBE for her achievements in athletics. Recognised as the world’s leading F20 women’s shot putter, Sabrina won gold at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, breaking her own world record with her first throw of the competition.

National figures celebrated

Special honours have also gone to national figures, including actor Stephen Fry, former England football manager Gareth Southgate, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who were all knighted. Additionally, author Jacqueline Wilson, creator of The Tracy Beaker series, has been made a Dame Grand Cross (GBE) for services to literature.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK. The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, added: “It is inspirational to see the wonderful work done by so many people from every part of Wales and in every sector of life. Whether their passion lies in sport, health, wellbeing, or the arts, their contributions make a huge difference to all our lives.”

Full Welsh Honours List 2025

The geographic breakdown of honours recipients across Wales reflects a diverse range of achievements and contributions. Among the honourees are:

Clwyd: Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal (OBE), Sabrina Ann Fortune (MBE), David Anthony Bone (BEM).
Dyfed: Debbie Lane (OBE), Dr Christopher Martin DL (OBE), Richard Huw Jones (MBE).
Gwent: Thomas Gerald Reames Davies (Knighthood), Amy-Claire Elisabeth Mason (CB), Moawia Bin-Sufyan (MBE).
Gwynedd: Rauni Ann Lucy Higson (MBE), Trystan Wyn Lewis (BEM).
Mid Glamorgan: Alan John Phillips (MBE), Diane Locke (BEM).
Powys: Francesca Hilary Bell (BEM).
South Glamorgan: Tracey Burke (CBE), Ruth Selina Marks (MBE), Moawia Bin-Sufyan (MBE).
West Glamorgan: Janice Victoria Williams (CBE), Wendy Ansell (MBE).

The honours list serves as a reminder of the selfless dedication and remarkable achievements of individuals across Wales, whose contributions continue to make a lasting impact on their communities and the nation.

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

9 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

9 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.