Crime

NFU Cymru ramps up rural crime campaign at Royal Welsh Show

Published

5 months ago

July 23, 2025

Farmers share first-hand accounts of theft, animal attacks, and increasing fear in the countryside

NFU CYMRU has renewed its calls for action on rural crime during a high-profile meeting at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.

The union brought together members, staff and the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Co-ordinator, Rob Taylor, to highlight the growing impact of criminal activity in rural communities across Wales.

The meeting was chaired by NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader and focussed on the lived experiences of farmers, many of whom shared distressing accounts of livestock and machinery theft, hare coursing, and dog attacks on animals.

It followed a series of meetings between NFU Cymru and police forces across Wales in recent weeks, aimed at raising the profile of rural crime and spotlighting region-specific challenges.

Rob Taylor QPM used the event to explain his new role and outline progress on the Wales Rural Crime Strategy (2025–2028). He urged farmers to remain vigilant and to report all incidents to police to help build a full picture of the scale and impact of rural crime.

NFU Cymru’s Rural Crime Lead, Garry Williams, said: “I’ve suffered livestock theft first-hand and there’s real concern among farmers about how bad things are getting. The frustration is that we can see it getting worse, not better.

“Suffering a large loss of sheep doesn’t just hurt you financially in the short term—it can damage your business for years. The mental health toll, the stress and worry, is something that shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Abi Reader said NFU Cymru will continue pushing for stronger prevention and enforcement measures.

“We will keep raising and pushing hard on these issues,” she said. “It’s important to work together to make our voices heard.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 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

12 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

12 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.