News

Reform councillor hits the ground running in Carmarthenshire

Published

6 months ago

June 9, 2025

Michelle Beer outlines first initiatives and vows to bring fresh energy to West Wales politics

REFORM UK councillor Michelle Beer has wasted no time settling into her new role after a shock by-election win in the Lliedi ward of Llanelli — launching a series of community initiatives and pledging to be “visible, accessible, and accountable” to local people.

Less than two weeks after her election to Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Beer has begun holding meetings with residents, responding to casework, and setting out her plans for the ward — including a new monthly litter-picking scheme and a pledge to host open-door surgeries.

Her first public surgery is due to take place on Monday, July 7 at Llanelli Town Hall from 10:00am to 11:30am.

“This isn’t about party politics — it’s about people,” said Cllr Beer. “Lliedi deserves a councillor who shows up, listens, and works hard. I’m already speaking with residents, local businesses, community groups and public service teams to understand where the problems are and how we can start addressing them together.”

Political shockwaves

Beer’s win — Reform UK’s first council seat in Carmarthenshire — has caused ripples beyond the ward. Her 42.6% share of the vote not only unseated Labour from a previously safe patch but has also raised questions about whether Reform’s support could now spread to other parts of South Wales.

“This result wasn’t just a protest,” a local Reform supporter told The Herald. “People feel let down by the status quo and are responding to someone who speaks plainly and turns up.”

Some Labour activists privately admit they were “caught off guard” by the scale of the swing, which saw their candidate pushed into second place with just 23.4% of the vote.

From ministry to council chamber

Cllr Beer’s journey into politics is far from conventional. A former marketing consultant and mother-of-four, she stepped away from business to attend the Bible College of Wales and support her family, including her husband Gareth — a Reform UK parliamentary candidate in 2024.

Now, she says, her focus is squarely on community service and delivering on local issues, not national debates.

“I’ve always believed in servant leadership,” she said. “That means being present, being transparent, and making decisions in the interests of the people who put their trust in you.”

Ward priorities

Top of her list are improvements to street cleanliness, stronger links with community policing teams, and exploring how local services can better support families and older residents.

She also plans to work closely with fellow Lliedi councillor Rob James — an independent — and says cross-party cooperation is essential: “I’m not here to argue for the sake of it. I want to work with anyone who puts Lliedi first.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.