News
Premier Inn ‘arsonist’ remanded in custody

A 26-YEAR-OLD Narberth woman has been remanded in custody, charged with causing the fire at the Premier Inn hotel in Haverfordwest on Sunday morning, as well as other offences.
Gina Tranter of Redstone Court, Narberth, gave no indication of plea when she confirmed her name and address at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning (Jan 21).
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard Jones explained the CPS case: “The defendant went to the Hunt Ball in Haverfordwest with her boyfriend on Saturday night, the boy had not paid her much attention and she felt rejected. They went back to the Premier Inn where they were staying. The boyfriend shut the door and wouldn’t let her into the room. Following that, she went down to reception. She was drunk. We believe that she may have taken cocaine as well.”

Remanded in custody: Tina Tranter is accused of arson
The prosecutor continued: “The hotel receptionist wanted her to leave the hotel so the police were called. The police attended and drove her home. She got home and took the keys to her mother’s car. She went into her garage and got a can of petrol. She then drove back to Haverfordwest and sent a text to her boyfriend saying ‘you’ll be sorry’.
Mr Pritchard Jones said: “On arriving back at the hotel, she went to one of the external fire doors and poured the petrol onto the facia of the door and she set it alight with a cigarette lighter. There were 133 guests in the premier inn. There was one person who was staying the hotel who was trained in firefighting. He got some equipment and put the fire out. The incident was recorded on CCTV. It is clear that it is the defendant who set the fire.”
He added: “She made a call to a friend of hers, Mr. Evans, at 6.32am. She called her friend saying: ‘I have poured petrol on the Premier Inn, I am in deep trouble. I have got to go on the run.'”
The court heard that the defendant is of clean character with no previous convictions or cautions.
Wearing a grey sweatshirt Tranter was remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court on January 27.
Tranter is facing four charges in total. Arson when reckless as to whether life could be endangered, taking a vehicle without consent, driving a vehicle with no insurance and failing to provide a breath test.
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 serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.
David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.
Multiple charges listed in register
The new magistrates’ register shows Guy charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- A second assault charge
- Criminal damage
- A further interpersonal violence allegation
- A public order offence
All entries relate to the same incident and prosecution reference, presented as a multi-count case.
Defendant remanded into custody
Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.
Guy was remanded in custody, with the register stating: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”
A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.
The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.
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 of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.
Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.
- Multiple assault allegations
- The charges listed before magistrates include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Intentional strangulation
- Common assault of a woman
- Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
- Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
- A breach of bail conditions
The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.
Bail breached — defendant remanded
On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.
He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.
Case sent to Crown Court
Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.
The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.
Crime
Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands
Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction
A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.
Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.
Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.
He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.
The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.
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Adam John
January 22, 2015 at 2:00 pm
Lock the stupid cow up and throw away the key. At least she got sacked.
danielle b
January 22, 2015 at 9:35 pm
what a silly little girl.all because her boyfriend wouldn’t pay her attention.attention seeking moron.
ancientbritton
January 24, 2015 at 11:02 am
Brain dead moron