Crime

Domestic violence offender arrested after 23 years of abuse

Published

4 months ago

August 13, 2025

A HIGH-RISK domestic violence perpetrator who has subjected his partner to more than two decades of extreme physical and emotional abuse has been arrested at a caravan park in Penally.

Christopher Lawrence, 41, was detained on Tuesday morning (Aug 12) after his partner made a silent 999 call to police. He was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates just five hours later.

Dyfed-Powys Police described Lawrence as “a very dangerous and violent man” and said custody was the only safe option.

“The victim was clearly asking for help, but she doesn’t follow it through because she’s fearful of him,” a police spokesperson said. “The fact that she made that 999 call this week says a lot.”

Police said the victim has endured a catalogue of abuse over 23 years, including numerous strangulations and punches, repeated threats to kill, and an incident in which Lawrence falsely imprisoned her in a van for 24 hours.

The latest incident happened at the Oasis Caravan Park, Penally. Just two weeks earlier, Llanelli magistrates had issued a domestic violence protection order banning Lawrence from contacting the victim.

“Officers received the 999 call from the victim’s mobile, and it was a silent call,” police said. “When they arrived, they could see the victim through a bedroom window, with Christopher Lawrence alongside her.”

As the woman left the bedroom, Lawrence climbed into an ottoman under the bed in an attempt to evade arrest. Officers’ entry to the caravan was delayed by an aggressive dog, which the victim eventually secured, allowing police to get inside.

Lawrence was arrested and charged with breaching the protection order. In a police interview, the victim alleged he had assaulted her twice in the past fortnight.

“‘I’m scared physically and emotionally,” she told officers. “I’m afraid of what he’ll do when he gets out.”

Magistrates remanded Lawrence in custody for two months and ordered him to pay £285 in court costs.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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

9 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

10 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.