News
Welsh communities to receive £17m regeneration boost
AN EXTRA £17 million will be invested in regeneration projects across Wales to help revitalise town and city centres, the Welsh Government has announced.
The additional funding will increase the Transforming Towns budget for 2025‑26 from £40 million to £57 million, enabling more projects to be delivered to boost economic activity, create jobs, and breathe new life into high streets.
Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant unveiled the funding during a visit to key regeneration sites in Wrexham. The city has already benefitted from more than £10 million in Transforming Towns support, with major projects either completed or nearing completion.
Among them is the newly refurbished indoor Butchers’ Market, which received £2.5 million in grant funding. The overhaul has created a high‑quality space for independent traders, boosted footfall, and enhanced the vibrancy of the city centre. Improvements to the High Street have also made the area more pedestrian‑friendly, with new green infrastructure and outdoor spaces for bars and restaurants.
Ms Bryant said: “Projects like the revitalised Butchers’ Market demonstrate how our funding creates jobs, supports local businesses, and makes town centres vibrant places where people want to live, work, and visit.
“Through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, we have invested more than £156 million over the past three years, and this additional £17 million will accelerate that progress, breathing new life into town centres across Wales and delivering the economic growth that our communities deserve.”
Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism, said: “The Butchers’ Market, General Market, and High Street improvements are great examples of how we’re working with Welsh Government to re‑energise key elements of the city.”
Council Leader Mark Pritchard added: “Wrexham is a fantastic city and the funding we’ve received through the Transforming Towns initiative has made a huge difference.”
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
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
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
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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