Crime

Victims praised as 1980s child rapist jailed for 16 years

Published

9 months ago

March 31, 2025

A POLICE detective has praised the “immense strength” of two survivors of child sexual abuse after their attacker was finally jailed nearly four decades later.

Gary Hicks, now 64, was sentenced to 16 years behind bars at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Mar 29) after being convicted of rape and multiple child sex offences committed in the Milford Haven area between 1987 and 1989.

At the time of the abuse, Hicks was in his late twenties. His victims, a boy and a girl, were both very young when the crimes took place.

Hicks, of Oregon Way, Luton, was found guilty of rape, two counts of indecency with a child, and three counts of indecent assault. His convictions followed two trials—one in August 2023 and another in February this year—after the jury in the first trial failed to reach a verdict on one of the rape charges.

The abuse came to light in October 2022, when the female victim reported what had happened to her. Her disclosure led to a police investigation, during which the male victim also came forward.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Emily Gmerek of Dyfed-Powys Police, who led the investigation, said:

“I would like to thank the two extremely brave victims in this case. They have shown immense strength of character, firstly in talking about the abuse, and secondly for working with us throughout the investigation, and the trials.

“This case is an important reminder that justice can be served many years after abuse has taken place. I sincerely hope the victims and their families can now try and move on with their lives, and that after almost 40 years, Hicks’ sentencing gives them some kind of closure.”

During the trial, the court heard how Hicks manipulated and threatened the female victim to keep her silent.

“He told her if she ever told anyone about the abuse, she wouldn’t be believed and she would have no friends,” said prosecuting counsel Daniel Jones. “Who is going to believe a young girl over a grown-up?”

Judge Huw Rees, in passing sentence, said: “This had the desired effect on her,” and described Hicks’ actions as “distasteful and discomforting”.

Hicks will be required to serve two-thirds of his sentence before he is eligible for release. He will also spend a further year on licence and has been placed on the sex offenders register for life. In addition, he is subject to indefinite restraining orders preventing him from contacting his victims.

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.