Crime
Former bishop admits to a series of sickening child sex offences
A DISGRACED former bishop has admitted to a series of sickening child sex offences, The Herald can reveal. Anthony Pierce, once a trusted figure in the Church in Wales, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault on a male child under 16.
Pierce, who served as the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon between 1999 and 2008, carried out the vile acts between 1985 and 1990 while working as a parish priest in West Cross, Swansea. The Church in Wales has confirmed the offences, branding them “shocking crimes” and expressing “profound shame.”
The court heard that the allegations only came to light last year when the survivor bravely disclosed the abuse to the church’s safeguarding officer. The information was immediately passed to the police, leading to Pierce’s arrest and subsequent charges.
Pierce has been released on bail, with sentencing set for March 7 at Swansea Crown Court.
Church under scrutiny
The case has sent shockwaves through the Church in Wales, raising serious questions about its handling of past allegations. The church has admitted that some members may have been aware of a previous allegation against Pierce in 1993 but failed to act decisively. An urgent review has now been launched into how that complaint was handled.
In a statement, the Church in Wales said: “We are appalled at the offences which have been revealed in this case and express our deepest sympathy with the victim for the abuse they have suffered. It is a cause of the most profound shame that a priest in the Church in Wales should have been convicted of such shocking crimes.”
The current Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, the Right Reverend John Lomas, addressed parishioners in a letter, acknowledging the deep betrayal felt by those who knew Pierce. “Tony Pierce was your parish priest, your archdeacon, your bishop. The Diocese is full of people baptised, confirmed or ordained by him. This case will be deeply shocking to so many of you.”
Calls for accountability
Victims’ groups and campaigners are now calling for greater accountability within the Church in Wales, urging transparency in dealing with allegations of abuse.
The Church in Wales Disciplinary Tribunal has confirmed it will take further action following Pierce’s sentencing.
This latest scandal adds to a growing list of historic abuse cases that have rocked religious institutions across the UK, once again highlighting the urgent need for rigorous safeguarding measures and accountability for those in positions of trust.
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
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
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
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.
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