News

Milford Haven Town Council holding special meeting on library’s future

Published

10 months ago

February 17, 2025

A SPECIAL meeting of Milford Haven Town Council is set to take place this evening (Monday, February 17) to discuss the future of Milford Haven Library. However, the meeting will be held behind closed doors under Section 100A(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, meaning that members of the public and press will not be permitted to attend.

The provision allows councils to exclude public access when confidential information is discussed. While the outcome of the meeting will be made available in due course, details remain limited at this stage.

HOPE FOR A POSITIVE OUTCOME

Town Councillors Lee Bridges and Mark Woodward have been actively involved in the discussions surrounding the library’s future. While unable to speak on behalf of the council as a whole, Councillor Bridges expressed optimism about the outcome of ongoing efforts, stating that he and Cllr Woodward have dedicated significant time and effort to securing a resolution that will be satisfactory to both the town and library users.

“I know there is a lack of faith and concern among the public right now, and this is one of the reasons I rejoined the Town Council – to help where I can,” said Cllr Bridges. “I ask for patience and faith, as all going well, the work that has been done over the past week will lead to a positive outcome.”

He further indicated that his personal goal was to ensure the library service remains intact in its current form, though the final decision rests with the Town Council following the meeting.

ONGOING UNCERTAINTY

The debate over Milford Haven Library’s future comes as Pembrokeshire County Council continues to seek cost-cutting measures, with proposals that could see the library relocated or transferred into a Community Managed Partnership. With the County Council’s final budget decision expected on February 20, the outcome of this evening’s closed meeting could be a crucial step in determining the library’s fate.

Residents and library supporters now await further details on what was discussed and whether a viable solution has been reached to safeguard this key community facility.

COUNCILLOR COMMENTS

Councillor Lee Bridges also addressed the situation, acknowledging the public’s concerns and the importance of transparency. He stated that while details remain confidential for now, both he and Councillor Mark Woodward have worked hard over the past week to ensure the best possible outcome for the library.

“I have to be cautious in what I say as an appropriate press release will be provided in due course. However, I can say that both myself and Councillor Mark Woodward have put a lot of our time and effort into this issue. While I cannot speak for the rest of Milford Haven Town Council, we feel very hopeful that a positive outcome is imminent—one that I hope will be well received by both the council and the town.”

Bridges further reassured residents, stating, “I understand the lack of faith and concern in the general public, and that is one of the reasons I rejoined the Town Council—to try and do my bit to help where I can. My goal throughout this has been to ensure the library continues to operate as it does now and remains a valuable service for the public.”

While the final decision rests with the Town Council as a whole, his comments suggest that significant behind-the-scenes efforts have been made to preserve the library in its current form.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

11 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

11 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

11 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.