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No assisted dying service in Welsh NHS without Senedd approval

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THE WELSH NHS will only provide assisted dying services if explicitly approved by the Senedd, it has been confirmed.

Last week, MPs in Westminster passed a law legalising assisted dying for terminally ill people in both Wales and England. However, uncertainty remains over how it will be implemented in Wales, given that healthcare is governed by the Senedd, which previously rejected assisted dying proposals last October.

Counsel General Julie James told the Senedd on Wednesday that Welsh members will need to vote on whether public healthcare services can offer assisted dying. Without the Senedd’s approval, assisted dying could technically be legal in Wales but without any state-provided support.

Welsh Conservative MS Tom Giffard emphasised the importance of giving the Senedd a decisive role, stating: “A decision of such gravity must not be imposed on Wales without the explicit consent of its elected representatives.”

Initially, the proposed bill included a veto allowing the Senedd to control the law’s implementation. However, this provision was removed by MPs last week to avoid conflicting with the Government of Wales Act, which prohibits the Senedd from altering laws on suicide.

Despite the removal of the veto, James reassured the Senedd that NHS Wales or any other public body would still require regulations laid by ministers and an affirmative Senedd vote before providing assisted dying services.

The previous Senedd vote in October resulted in the rejection of assisted dying legislation by 26 to 19, with nine abstentions. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles and First Minister Eluned Morgan both opposed the proposal at the time.

The current law passed by Westminster differs from the earlier Senedd proposal by including provisions for people experiencing “intolerable” suffering from incurable physical conditions.

Welsh language concerns were also raised by Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor, who highlighted the absence of guaranteed Welsh-language support for patients. James confirmed that Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has been liaising with MP Kim Leadbeater, who sponsored the bill, to address Welsh-language considerations.

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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