News

Shed raises a stink

Published

11 years ago

January 29, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Modern milking: An example of the type of facility at Velindre Farm

THE NATIONAL PARK’S Development and Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 21, to decide on the future of the controversial construction of a 2252 square metres cow shed in St Nicholas. Even though the development was recommended for refusal, National Park members voted to permit the development of the cattle accommodation and attendant 1 acre slurry lagoon in October 2014. At the time the reports before planners advised that the scheme represented: “an inappropriate and harmful industrial form of development”.

The Herald understands that a modern rotary milking parlour, capable of dealing with the 680 head of cattle in farmer Daniel Harries’ herd is part of the same development. A final decision on the development was due to be reached at the January 21 meeting. However, in December farmer Daniel Harries began construction of the accommodation without awaiting a final decision.

Mr Harries has claimed that delays by the National Park in determining his application forced his hand. However, The Herald understands Mr Harries purchased the cattle for his farming business ahead of receiving planning approval knowing that he would have to house them over winter due to animal welfare laws and provide appropriate provision for slurry.

The effect of those laws is that, having bought cattle, Mr Harries is obliged to provide suitable accommodation for his herd. Why Mr Harries bought cattle while his application fell to be determined is a matter planners will want to consider in the light of local objections to the development. As things stand, it is at least arguable that Mr Harries has exploited a conflict of laws to press ahead with the development without final planning permission.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: “A National Park Authority enforcement officer visited the site on January 5th 2015 and confirmed that work to erect the cattle accommodation building had commenced. “The landowner/applicant was advised that any work carried out without the benefit of planning permission was carried out at his own risk and that should permission be refused, he would be responsible for carrying out the necessary remedial works to remedy the breach of planning control. “The authority will not be taking any further action until the planning application has been determined by the Development Management Committee on January 21.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

5 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

27 minutes 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

34 minutes 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.