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Smoke alert on Milford Haven pilot boat prompts major emergency response

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Port confirms no fire aboard as crews race to battery fault aboard 20m vessel

EMERGENCY SERVICES were called into action late on Saturday night (July 19) after smoke was reported aboard a Port of Milford Haven pilot vessel — believed to be the Picton — prompting a coordinated response involving four fire crews, the RNLI, and coastguard teams.

The 19.75-metre vessel, which was moored at the Port Authority Jetty, is one of two Camarc-designed pilot boats operated by the port. Her sister vessel, Skomer, is currently out of service and positioned on the quayside, suggesting Picton was the vessel involved in the incident.

At 11:38pm, shortly after being stood down from a separate police incident in Pembroke Dock, Angle RNLI lifeboat was retasked to respond. Dale coastguard rescue team was also re-deployed, while Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service mobilised crews from Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen.

The vessel had been evacuated and smoke was traced to its wheelhouse battery compartment. Firefighters used breathing apparatus, fire extinguishers, a thermal imaging camera and a gas monitor to investigate and make the scene safe. The Port of Milford Haven confirmed there was no fire and no pollution risk.

Harbourmaster Mike Ryan said: “The fire service was able to quickly identify the cause of the reported smoke as coming from a battery compartment, and action was taken promptly to remove the affected batteries. All crew were safely evacuated, and the vessel was repaired and returned to duty.”

Built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, Picton is certified for up to 12 persons and designed to withstand up to 6-metre wave heights. She typically sees around 3,000 hours of service annually, conducting pilot transfers across the Milford Haven waterway. The boat is powered by twin Caterpillar engines generating a combined 670hp, delivering a service speed of around 14 knots.

The RNLI stood by during the incident and was stood down just after 1:00am. No injuries were reported.

The earlier callout at 11:14pm saw Angle lifeboat and coastguard teams deployed to assist Dyfed-Powys Police with an incident in Pembroke Dock. That situation was resolved by police without the need for further maritime involvement. Police have been approached for further comment.

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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