News

Pensioners to stage Senedd protest over winter fuel cuts

Published

10 months ago

February 3, 2025

Wales only devolved nation not offering extra support

PENSIONERS from across Wales will descend on the Senedd on Tuesday (Feb 4) to protest against the UK government’s decision to slash the winter fuel allowance for all but the poorest pensioners—and the Welsh Government’s failure to step in with additional support.

The demonstration, set to take place at 11:30am outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, will coincide with a debate on the draft Welsh budget for 2025/26.

A survey of more than 500 retired Unite members in Wales has revealed the devastating impact of the cuts. Over seven in 10 (71%) have reduced their heating, nearly half (41%) have cut down on baths and showers, and more than one in five (21%) have reduced the number of hot meals they eat. In total, 20% say their health has deteriorated as a result of these cutbacks.

The figures for Wales are worse than those recorded across the UK (see notes to editors).

“Shivering indoors”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Pensioners in Wales are suffering massively from the brutal cut to the winter fuel allowance. They are shivering indoors, going without baths, or cutting out meals. Pensioners should be able to live with dignity after a lifetime of work.

“Instead of picking the pockets of pensioners, the UK and Welsh governments should be giving them the support they need and deserve.”

Unite has calculated that it would cost the Welsh Government £140 million to fully restore the winter fuel allowance for all 560,000 pensioners in Wales who have lost out. Alternatively, a scheme similar to those introduced in Northern Ireland and Scotland—where affected pensioners will receive £100—would cost £56 million.

“A failure to act will not be forgiven”

Unite Welsh secretary Peter Hughes said: “Pensioners in Wales are needlessly suffering. The Welsh Government has got to step up to the plate and provide vitally needed help to the elderly in this country.

“A failure to act will be long remembered and unlikely to be forgiven.”

Last year, Unite applied for a judicial review challenging the UK government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments. The union is currently awaiting a court decision on whether the challenge will proceed.

Dereck Roberts, Unite retired members’ representative in Wales, added: “Pensioners from Conwy to Caerphilly are travelling to the Senedd to demand support from their government. These are ordinary people who have worked all their lives, only to find vital support taken away in their moment of need.

“We all want to see the Labour government in Wales step up and support us through winter. That means money, not empty rhetoric.”

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.