Crime

Police told to consider revealing ethnicity of suspects in major cases

Published

4 months ago

August 13, 2025

POLICE forces across the UK, including Dyfed-Powys Police, are being urged to consider releasing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile cases, in a move aimed at tackling misinformation and increasing public transparency.

The interim guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) follows a series of controversies where police were accused of withholding key details about suspects. The new approach comes into effect immediately and is part of a wider review of how police forces deal with the media.
The changes come after recent incidents — including the case of two men, reported to be Afghan asylum seekers, charged with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old in Warwickshire — led to accusations of a “cover-up” when police declined to release their immigration status.

A Home Office spokesperson said both the public and police “want greater clarity” about when and why details such as nationality and immigration status are released, and stressed there may still be legitimate reasons to withhold information in some cases.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the move as a “step forward” and said the government wanted “greater transparency” in cases where public safety is at risk from false speculation.

The NPCC said the decision to release such details would remain at the discretion of each police force, and must take into account legal and ethical considerations, including the risk of prejudicing a trial.

Police point to the example of Merseyside Police, who in May last year quickly confirmed that a man arrested after a car ploughed into crowds celebrating Liverpool FC’s title win was white and British. That announcement was made to quash online rumours of a terror attack.

By contrast, when police withheld the ethnicity of Southport triple murderer Axel Rudakubana, false rumours spread rapidly online, which authorities say contributed to rioting in parts of England and Northern Ireland in the summer of 2024.

Impact on Welsh policing

While the guidance applies nationally, it will affect how Dyfed-Powys Police handle high-profile investigations in Pembrokeshire and the wider force area. In recent years, several serious cases here have generated significant public discussion online, with social media posts sometimes spreading unverified or false information within hours of an arrest.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, NPCC lead for communications, said: “We have to make sure our processes are fit for purpose in an age of social media speculation and where information can travel incredibly quickly.”

Some former senior officers have warned the move could lead to an expectation that ethnicity and nationality will always be released, with the risk of inflaming tensions in some communities.

Ex-Met Police Chief Supt Dal Babu said police could find themselves “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” when deciding what to disclose.

The government has also asked the Law Commission to examine how more details can be released without jeopardising criminal trials.

For now, police forces, including those serving Pembrokeshire, will have to weigh the public’s right to know against the risk of sparking unrest — knowing that the speed and reach of online speculation mean any decision will be scrutinised immediately.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.