News

Stonehenge cow tooth strengthens Pembrokeshire link

Published

4 months ago

August 23, 2025

A NEOLITHIC cow’s tooth has provided fresh evidence tying Stonehenge directly back to Pembrokeshire.

The tooth, taken from a cow’s jawbone found at the monument in 1924, has been reanalysed by scientists from the British Geological Survey, Cardiff University and University College London.

Their tests show the animal grazed on rocks found in Wales – specifically the same Palaeozoic formations seen in the Preseli Mountains, where Stonehenge’s famous bluestones were quarried.

Preseli at the heart of the story

Professor Jane Evans, of the British Geological Survey, said: “You can tell that the animal has been grazing on the Palaeozoic rock, particularly in and around where the bluestones are found. We’re beginning to see so many connections between Wales and Stonehenge.”

The discovery reinforces Pembrokeshire’s central role in the origins of the world-famous monument. The Preseli Hills have long been identified as the source of the bluestones that were hauled more than 150 miles to Wiltshire around 5,000 years ago.

Cattle power

The study also suggests cattle may have been used as beasts of burden during the epic journey. Previous research in 2018 showed that Neolithic oxen had skeletal changes consistent with pulling heavy loads.

Professor Michael Parker Pearson, from University College London, described the findings as “yet more fascinating proof of Stonehenge’s link with south-west Wales,” and said it raised the “tantalising possibility” that cattle helped to haul the stones.

Communities on the move

The cow’s jawbone dates to the earliest stage of Stonehenge’s construction, between 2995 and 2900 BC, and was buried in a ritually significant place.

Analysis suggests the animal was female and possibly pregnant or nursing at the time. Researchers believe this points to the involvement of whole communities – women, men and children – who would have supported the immense labour of transporting the stones.

Professor Evans said moving the bluestones from Preseli to Wiltshire could have taken up to four months: “You’ve got to have food supplies, a turnover of people and animals to help pulling, and all the domestic requirements of living on the land.”

The findings underline once again that the story of Stonehenge begins not in Wiltshire, but here in Pembrokeshire.

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

4 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.