News
£159,000 land fraud admitted in court
A TAVERNSPITE woman appeared in court on Monday (Jan 5) to admit carrying out land frauds worth a total of £159,000. Carolyn Jane Henderson, aged 50, was before Judge Huw Davies at Swansea crown court for a plea and case management hearing. Henderson, of Beynons court, admitted five offences of fraud by falsely representing between 2010 and 2011 that land for sale at Briar Paddock, St Florence, could be used for caravanning and camping.
The victims were David Harries, Diane Morgan, Paul Stewart, Glyn Coward and John Boswell. Henderson also admitted possessing an article for use in fraud, a “document of truth” purportedly signed by a C Hastings. She also admitted between 2005 and 2006 fraudulently obtaining a money order for £15,000 from Roland Evans by claiming that land at Hafod Wen, Llanteg, was suitable for planning permission and that if permission was not granted she would return the money.
Henderson also pleaded guilty to advertising land at Hafod Wen for sale while falsely claiming it was suitable for caravanning and camping. Henderson will be sentenced on February 13 after a probation officer has prepared a report into her background. Judge Davies agreed to the report after being told that the “relatively large amounts of money involved” might take the offending over the custody threshold.
Henderson entered pleas of not guilty to several other charges. Huw Rees, prosecuting, said in light of her guilty pleas those cases would not be proceeded with at this stage. Henderson’s sister, Amanda Victoria Henderson, aged 42, who lives at Hafod Wen, denied four charges of fraud relating to land at Hafod Wen. The prosecution offered no evidence in her case and Judge Davies entered formal verdicts of not guilty.
Amanda Jane Henderson was discharged. Mr Rees said that although Carolyn Henderson, who was granted bail until the sentencing hearing, might now have little money left the prosecution wished to continue with a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation to see if any of the fraudulently obtained money could be recovered. All the victims named in the charges had lost money, he added. Mr Rees will provide more details of the offending on February 13.
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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