News

Superfast broadband comes to Saundersfoot

Published

11 years ago

January 29, 2015

PROPERTIES in Saundersfoot can now access fast fibre broadband thanks to Superfast Cymru, as the rollout of superfast broadband in Pembrokeshire continues. The first households and businesses in this area are now able to access fast fibre broadband. The highspeed technology enables businesses to work faster and more efficiently, benefitting from faster upload and download speeds and reducing the need to travel, helping to create jobs and expand businesses. Work is continuing across south Pembrokeshire with the Tenby exchange due to be upgraded shortly.

Other areas in the county where superfast broadband can already be accessed include Pembroke, Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest. At home fibre broadband is not just about a faster internet experience or about doing one thing quicker. It’s about everyone in the house being able to do their own thing online, all at the same time, whether that is streaming films, downloading music, studying or keeping in touch with loved ones.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said: “Superfast broadband has the ability to change the way we live our lives. From accessing entertainment and communicating through social media to how businesses interact with customers and how we use public services.

“The Superfast Cymru programme is the most ambitious in the UK with the aim of reaching 96 percent of properties in Wales by the end of Spring 2016 delivering fast fibre to more people more quickly than the rest of the UK. It’s great news that residents and businesses in Saundersfoot are the latest to benefit.

“The Welsh Government is committed to seeing Wales become a truly digital nation and the Superfast Cymru programme is vital in making that vision a reality.” Superfast Cymru, a partnership between the Welsh Government, BT, UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund is the largest of its kind in the UK.

It is working to achieve, when combined with commercial programmes by the private sector, the Welsh Government’s aim of providing 96 percent of premises in Wales with access to fast fibre broadband by the end of Spring 2016. Superfast Cymru Programme Director, Ed Hunt, said: “We know how important it is that as many people as possible can take advantage of fibre broadband.

Through BT’s own commercial rollout and now with Superfast Cymru we are taking world class speeds the length and breadth of Wales, including rural and urban areas. “Great progress is being made but the sheer scale of the programme means we still have a long way to go.

We look forward to changing the lives of households across Wales and the growth opportunities for Welsh businesses, all brought about by our superfast deployment.“ Households and businesses in this area which want to take advantage of the benefits of fast fibre broadband should contact an internet service provider (ISP) of their choice to place an order.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

11 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 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.

Guy is 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

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.

A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Swansea 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

Published

17 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 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

Published

34 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

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.