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Plaid Cymru demands urgent action on education standards in Wales

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Community Schools Plus plan unveiled at spring conference

PLAID CYMRU has said that educational attainment in Wales “must be solved” following what it described as “26 years of neglect and mismanagement by Labour.”

The comments were made by Cefin Campbell MS, the party’s education spokesperson, during a speech at Plaid Cymru’s spring conference in Llandudno on Saturday (Mar 22).

Mr Campbell said that the current state of the education system required “bold and urgent action,” highlighting the need for a new university funding model, stronger Welsh-medium education plans, and investment to address a £500 million school maintenance backlog.

Freedom of Information requests by Plaid Cymru suggest that councils across Wales face at least a £543 million bill to bring school buildings up to standard.

Mr Campbell said the current model of “Community Schools” introduced by the Welsh Government did not go far enough and called for a new approach that includes on-site mental health and counselling services to help improve behaviour and attendance.

He told delegates: “Whether it’s tackling disruptive behaviour, high levels of absenteeism, or improving ALN and mental health provision, providing wraparound support will enable learners to reach their full potential, no matter what the challenges they face.

“That is why we want to build on the Welsh Government’s current Community School model. While it has good intentions, it does not go far enough.

“In creating a Community School ‘Plus’ model, we hope to bring support staff, services and relevant organisations together to improve support and outcomes for our young people.”

Estyn’s most recent annual report found significant issues facing schools in Wales, including low standards in literacy and numeracy, weaknesses in assessment, and difficulty in recruiting education staff.

International PISA results have also shown a decline in attainment, with Wales scoring lower than the rest of the UK in mathematics, reading and science.

Plaid Cymru said it would continue to push for urgent reforms in the run-up to the 2026 Senedd election.

Cover photo:

Cefin Campbell MS addresses the Plaid Cymru spring conference in Llandudno on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

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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.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

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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.

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Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

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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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