News

Pentagon review puts Pembrokeshire radar project in doubt

Published

6 months ago

June 12, 2025

A DEEP space radar facility planned for the former RAF Brawdy base in Pembrokeshire could be scrapped or delayed as the United States reconsiders its defence commitments under the AUKUS security pact.

The Herald understands that the Brawdy site has already been the subject of consultations led by the UK Ministry of Defence, which has confirmed its involvement in the proposed development of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) — a joint project with the United States Space Force.

DARC is a state-of-the-art tracking system designed to monitor satellites and space debris in high orbits, including geostationary orbit. Once operational, it would provide 24/7 global coverage through three radar sites in Alaska, Australia, and the UK, with Brawdy identified as the UK location due to its strategic Atlantic position and Cold War-era infrastructure.

However, the project has now been thrown into uncertainty following a Pentagon review into the broader AUKUS defence pact signed in 2021. While originally focused on nuclear submarines, the AUKUS agreement has since expanded to include advanced military technologies such as quantum computing, cyber warfare, undersea surveillance, and space domain awareness.

***There have been huge protests against the facility being located in Pembrokeshire (Image: Supplied)***

The current review — being led by former Pentagon official Elbridge Colby — will assess whether the US should continue funding all aspects of AUKUS, amid growing concerns in Washington over the rising costs and strategic focus of the agreement.

If the DARC programme is scaled back or cancelled, the proposed Brawdy installation may be among the casualties. That would be seen as a victory by long-time anti-militarism campaigners and environmental activists in West Wales, who have opposed the return of foreign defence infrastructure to Pembrokeshire.

In public statements, the MOD has acknowledged holding local engagement sessions and confirmed Brawdy as the preferred site, but has so far declined to comment on the potential impact of the Pentagon’s review.

If approved and built, the radar facility would represent the most significant military installation in Pembrokeshire in decades and would restore Brawdy’s strategic role within a new era of space-based surveillance.

The Herald will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as further information emerges from both Washington and Whitehall.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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

10 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

10 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.