News

Vacant council seat sparks tensions over racism concerns in Haverfordwest

Published

4 months ago

August 8, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has rejected accusations that it left a vacant seat unfilled to avoid addressing concerns about racism, following the decision not to co-opt a prospective councillor.

Earlier this year, the council co-opted Reform UK member Cllr Scott Thorley to fill a vacancy. A more recent opening, created by another resignation, prompted local businesswoman Elaine Gunning to apply — but her bid was voted down nine to three on 17 July.

In her introduction to councillors, Ms Gunning criticised the earlier co-option of Cllr Thorley, who had stood as a Reform UK candidate in county council elections. She told members she was “concerned” the council had chosen someone from “a notoriously racist political party” and said she believed the seat was now being left vacant “rather than acknowledge community concerns of racism.”

Ms Gunning, who is supported by West Wales Stand Up to Racism, later said: “It appeared the council was disinterested in diversity of opinions, preferring to protect their decision to co-opt a rejected Reform candidate. Reform was transparent in their intention to disband the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan 2024 and end the Wales Nation of Sanctuary Plan. It was therefore incredulous that a Reform candidate would be co-opted when the party he stood for directly opposed the council’s stated intentions.”

Cllr Thorley dismissed the criticism, saying: “Haverfordwest Town Council is not political — we are there for the people of Haverfordwest. Elaine was there for me, not the town. Her group has constantly harassed me for no good reason other than a party I represented in February. The vote was by secret ballot, based on councillors’ opinions on the night. I suspect she lost the vote by making it political and should respect democracy. To accuse the town council of protecting their decision is bonkers.”

In a statement, Haverfordwest Town Council stressed it is “not affiliated with any political party” and that councillors “are entitled to hold personal political views, provided they act within the law and adhere to the council’s code of conduct.”

The council said Ms Gunning’s application was “strong in many respects” but that opening with a “firmly directed criticism of a sitting councillor” might not have aligned with its efforts to promote “respectful collaboration and unity.” It also pointed out that other candidates over the years had failed to secure co-option.

The statement added that Cllr Thorley “continues to play a positive and active role” in supporting the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan 2024, and that vacancies in both Prendergast and Priory wards remain open to applicants.

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.