News
First Minister gives letter of thanks to 99-year-old veteran as Wales marks VJ Day
THE FIRST MINISTER OF WALES today presented a letter of thanks to a veteran who served in Asia Pacific, as Wales commemorates the 80th anniversary of VJ day and the end of the Second World War.
Duncan Hilling from Saundersfoot, who joined the RAF in April 1944 before transferring to the Royal Welch Fusiliers, received the tribute from Eluned Morgan in recognition of his extraordinary service during the war. The 99-year-old’s military journey took him through India, Japan, and Malaya during some of the conflict’s most challenging periods.
Mr Hilling was among the first UK forces to enter both Hiroshima and Nagasaki just weeks after the atomic bombs were dropped in August 1945, witnessing firsthand the devastating aftermath. He was one of eleven siblings, seven of them also served during the war. Remarkably, all of them survived the conflict.
VJ Day, marked on 15 August, commemorates Victory over Japan and the end of the Second World War, remembering those who served in the war against Japan in the Pacific region.
Mr Hilling said: “I went out to Japan and spent a year there, it was a fascinating country. We arrived before any other troops, we went to Hiroshima and the horrors of the atomic bomb were still there, it was hideous. We asked people what they remembered about the bomb, and they couldn’t remember anything, just a flash. To me it was horrible, my comrades, six of us, felt the same. I don’t think people can ever understand what it was like. Let’s hope to goodness it never happens again.”
“I was absolutely amazed by the First Minister coming to see me and giving me a letter of thanks. I think of all the boys who were in Japan with me, nearly all of them gone now as I am nearly 100.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “It is a privilege to personally thank Mr Hilling for his incredible service and sacrifice. His experiences in Hiroshima and Nagasaki remind us of the true cost of war and the courage of those who served in Asia Pacific. On this 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we honour all veterans like Mr Hilling who helped secure the peace and freedom we enjoy today.”
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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