News

Cabinet Secretary visits couple benefiting from independent living support

Published

4 months ago

August 7, 2025

EXTRA investment from the Welsh Government is helping thousands more older and disabled people live safely and independently in their own homes.

For the 2025–26 financial year, the Welsh Government has allocated an additional £5.5 million in capital funding and more than £1.25 million in revenue to support its Independent Living Programmes.

As part of this initiative, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, recently visited Mr and Mrs Watkins, a couple in their seventies receiving support from Bridgend Care & Repair after being referred by their GP.

Care & Repair is a national charity supporting around 40,000 households across Wales every year, delivering approximately 25,000 home adaptations to help older people live more comfortably and safely.

During her visit, the Cabinet Secretary learned how the Watkins family had benefited from a range of tailored home improvements. These included the installation of a stair rail, improved stair lighting to reduce fall risk—particularly important due to Mr Watkins’ sight loss—and a floor-to-ceiling grab rail outside the shower to assist with transfers.

Urgent repair work was also carried out on a faulty front bedroom window that had been letting in cold air and draughts.

In addition to physical adaptations, the couple received wraparound support services from Care & Repair. These included help claiming entitled benefits, a successful Blue Badge application, registration with the National Grid Priority Services Register, and tailored falls prevention advice.

Through a referral to Care & Repair’s Managing Better service, further help was arranged—such as access to RNIB talking books, a low vision assessment, and signposting to local support groups.

Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant said: “Home adaptations can be a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. It was heartening to meet Mr and Mrs Watkins and hear first-hand how Care & Repair has made a real difference to their safety and quality of life.

The work this charity carries out across Wales is truly invaluable. I’m proud that our additional funding this year will allow more people to live with dignity and independence for longer.”**

Chris Jones, Chief Executive of Care & Repair Cymru, added: “We are extremely grateful for the Welsh Government’s additional funding this year. The adaptations and repairs we deliver not only improve the safety and comfort of older people’s homes but also make a real difference to their well-being and independence.

Our work also helps ease pressure on the NHS and social care by preventing avoidable hospital admissions and facilitating quicker discharges. The extra resources will enable us to support an additional 5,000 to 6,000 people annually.

The couple the Cabinet Secretary met represent the kind of households we help every day—ensuring they live in safe, warm homes, while also supporting them to access benefits and reduce the financial strain of rising living costs.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

10 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

10 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

11 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.