News

Suspended sentence for rogue doorstep trader

Published

11 years ago

January 17, 2015

A DOORSTEP trader, who ‘bullied and intimidated his victims’ while offering replacement guttering and roofing services has been given a suspended sentence for breaching the terms of an Enforcement Order.

The sentence was issued to David John Hanford, director of One Call Repair Ltd, by Swansea County Court on Friday (9^th January).

The action was brought by Pembrokeshire County Council Public Protection’s Trading Standards Section under the Enterprise Act 2002.

Hanford, currently residing in Swansea, was issued with the enforcement order in December 2012.

It was issued for continually breaching consumer protection legislation including failing to issue cancellation notices, failing to honour refunds, conducting substandard work and making false claims of association with local authorities.

At the time he was based in Pembrokeshire but operating across South Wales.

Hanford did not attend the hearing and sent a letter to the Court requesting an adjournment. The matter went ahead in his absence before his Honour Judge Vosper, who heard evidence of numerous complaints against Mr Hanford and his business.

The Judge heard that many of the complainants were elderly and reported feeling bullied and intimidated by David John Hanford’s behaviour.

He usually presented himself as ‘John’ an employee of the business and inferred that ‘David’ was the owner. He masqueraded between the two, to mislead consumers and avoid liability.

Some consumers were persuaded to have work which was not necessary. Typically work commenced following payment of a deposit. Existing guttering or roof tiles would be removed, prior to demands for more money to buy materials. If consumers refused to pay by a specified period they were threatened with “walking off the job and court action”.

Even when money was paid Mr Hanford was usually never seen again to complete the work. Any work he did was to a very poor standard.

Evidence was also presented that one consumer was left with all the roof tiles removed from the rear of her property.

Another was pressurised to rent his caravan to Hanford’s family, only to have Hanford later demand a refund of the money paid. The complainant was taken to the post office by Hanford to withdraw the money.

Other traders also lost money for non payment of goods or services.

Judge Vosper was satisfied that the Enforcement Order had been breached several times by Hanford. If evidence is received of a new breach after January 9, Hanford will receive a six month custodial sentence.

Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, said he welcomed the Judge’s decision.

He urged members of the public to be wary of businesses cold calling.

“While some doorstep sellers are perfectly legitimate and offer honest and reliable customer service, there are salespeople who take advantage of people through pressurised selling,” he said.

“It’s vital that homeowners take the time to consider their decisions carefully, with the support of family and friends.”

Anyone wishing to report a complaint should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0345 4 04 05 06 / 0345 4 04 05 05 (Welsh speaker).

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

55 minutes 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

1 hour 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

1 hour 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.