News
New rates charges to hit charities
A WELSH GOVERNMENT scheme to impose business rates on charity shops could have a serious impact on charities across the county.
The plans, which are currently under consultation, would mean that business rates for charities, which are at present treated on a discretionary basis, will be imposed. Around 200 groups, from national organizations like the British Heart Foundation and the Citizens Advice Bureau, to locally focused charities like PATCH, and numerous community groups will be affected.
At present, the Welsh government pays 80% of business rates for charitable organizations, with the other 20% being split between Pembrokeshire county council, who pay 15% and a donation of 5% from the Welsh Government. Under the new system, paying the latter 20% would be the responsibility of the charities concerned. The proposed rates could apply to all charities, although an option under consultation is to exempt local voluntary organizations from the charges.
Tracy Olin from PATCH said that if the proposal goes ahead it could cause ‘real problems’ for the charity. Speaking to the Herald, she said: “The rates on our headquarters, estimated at 20% would cost us £2300 pa. In addition to our monthly outgoings of £3000 we sometimes have to spend this much on provisions. This week, for example we have already spent £500 on food. The people of Pembrokeshire are so generous, but there are so many in this county in devastating circumstances, it would be a massive blow if these rates meant we could not provide the amount of assistance we do now.”
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
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
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
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.
-
Crime6 days agoPhillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with
-
Crime5 days agoKilgetty scaffolder sentenced after driving with cocaine and in system
-
Crime5 days agoHousing site director sentenced after failing to provide breath sample following crash
-
Crime5 days agoMotorist banned for three years after driving with cannabis in system
-
News16 hours agoDyfed-Powys Police launch major investigation after triple fatal crash
-
Education4 days agoTeaching assistant struck off after asking pupil for photos of her body
-
Crime1 day agoMan spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven
-
News7 days agoJury retires tomorrow in harrowing Baby C rape trial





Malcolm Calver
February 20, 2015 at 8:13 pm
Many of the charity shops I am told now sell new goods, in direct competition with businesses so perhaps a exception could be made for the shops that sell only used / second second hand goods.We do seem to have an abundance of charities with some very well paid employees.
samuel
February 22, 2015 at 2:44 pm
I don\’t know who \”told\” Malcolm this information, going by the shops I visit the only \”\”new goods\” I see are Christmas cards
Lucy in the sky with diamonds
February 26, 2015 at 7:49 am
Samuel I can agree with Malcolm even though I don’t know him, most of the charity shop chains do sell new stock which gets sent to them by companies (Oxfam online gets stuff from M&S)
tomos
February 27, 2015 at 9:35 am
Sorry Lucy we’re talking about business rates, both you and Malcolm seem to be talking about the electric interweb which is completely different
Lucy in the sky with diamonds
February 27, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Tomos I have seen rows of brand new clothes (all the same label) in a shop in Haverfordwest also in Tenby.
I know of one shop that gets a lot of brand new items through the post (clocks for example and toys etc). I have had many of these items over the past few years.