Crime

Plaques unveiled in Haverfordwest to honour HIV charity pioneer Terry Higgins

Published

7 months ago

December 2, 2025

Two blue plaques mark the birthplace of the man whose death led to creation of Terrence Higgins Trust

THE LIFE and legacy of Terry Higgins – the Welshman whose death spurred the founding of Europe’s first HIV charity – were formally commemorated in Haverfordwest today (Dec 2) with the unveiling of two blue plaques at his birthplace.

A crowd gathered at Priory Court on Winch Lane at 12:00pm to witness the unveiling, which was followed by a reception attended by family, friends, supporters and representatives from Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s largest HIV organisation.

Terry Higgins was born at the former Priory Mount Hospital on 10 June 1945 and spent the first eighteen years of his life in Haverfordwest before joining the Royal Navy. In 1982, aged just thirty-seven, he became one of the first people in the UK to die from an AIDS-related illness.

Moved by grief and determined to ensure no one else faced the same isolation, his friends and partner established Terrence Higgins Trust in his name. More than four decades later, the charity now provides HIV services, testing, and support across the UK – including in Wales – and continues to play a central role in national HIV policy and public awareness.

Blue plaques mark birthplace

Two plaques – one in Welsh and one in English – were installed on the stone entrance pillars at Glebe House, marking the first time Terry Higgins has been formally commemorated in the town where he grew up.

The project was delivered jointly by Terrence Higgins Trust and Dr Simon Hancock, curator of Haverfordwest Town Museum.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Hancock said: “I am delighted Terry Higgins is finally being commemorated in the town of his birth. Half of his short life was lived in Haverfordwest where he was educated and where he forged his earliest relationships.”

“Important to remember how he lived”

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said the plaques mark not just a moment of remembrance, but a reminder of the humanity at the centre of Britain’s HIV story.

“Terry is best known for how he died, and for the grief and love for him which led to the creation of Terrence Higgins Trust,” he said. “But it’s really important to remember how he lived. A proud gay Welshman, still remembered with affection in the local community, by his friends and his surviving partner. Terry deserves to be honoured in Haverfordwest, in the place of his birth, as we mark what would have been his 80th year.”

Among those attending were Martyn Butler OBE, Terry’s friend and one of the charity’s co-founders, alongside civic representatives and supporters who have backed the memorial project.

How to support

Donations towards the plaques and future local commemorations can be made at tht.events/cymru-terry, or by texting RIBBON 5 to 70480 to donate £5, or RIBBON 10 to donate £10.

Images: Martin Cavaney Photography

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.