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Crime

Pembrokeshire pensioner jailed for historic child sex abuse

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Offences took place in Nottingham in the 1990s

AN 82-YEAR-OLD man from Pembrokeshire has been jailed for sexually abusing a young girl more than 30 years ago.

John Bleasdale, of Paskeston Lane, Milton, was sentenced to four years in prison at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (July 24) after being convicted of two counts of indecent assault on a child under 16.

The abuse took place between 1991 and 1998 at a family address in Bulwell, Nottingham, while Bleasdale was trusted to care for the victim.

He was living in Pembrokeshire when the allegations were reported to police two years ago.

Victim’s bravery leads to justice

The victim, now an adult, gave a detailed and compelling account of the assaults, which began when she was too young to understand what was happening.

Detective Constable Dan Blackham, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Public Protection team, praised the survivor’s courage:

“This case is a reminder that it’s never too late to come forward. Bleasdale’s crimes were historic, but we treated them just as seriously as if they’d happened yesterday.”

He added that the conviction would hopefully provide the victim and her family with some closure.

Restrictions imposed

In addition to the jail term, Bleasdale was handed a lifetime restraining order and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, banning him from living at any property with a girl under 16.

Offences cross county lines

Although the abuse occurred in Nottingham, the investigation spanned two counties after Bleasdale relocated to Pembrokeshire in later life.

Police said the case demonstrates how historic offences can still be prosecuted successfully, no matter how much time has passed or where the offender now resides.

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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