News

Easing the pain of antisocial behaviour

Published

11 years ago

March 19, 2015

TWO housing support specialists are to ease the pain of antisocial behaviour across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

Craig Williams and Jo Powell will help those affected by neighbourhood issues to get support.

Last year (2014) there were more than 19,500 reported cases of antisocial behaviour in Dyfed-Powys – 7,696 in Carmarthenshire, 3,047 in Ceredigion, 4,865 in Pembrokeshire and 3,925 in Powys.

Craig and Jo are the day-to-day leaders of a new service to be delivered by Welsh not-for-profit organisation Grŵp Gwalia, and funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon. They will be supported by colleagues around the region.

Craig said: “Around half of incidents reported to Dyfed-Powys Police are classed as antisocial behaviour. We will address this big challenge and reduce its impact and work to make communities safer. We promise a flexible and responsive service ensuring people feel safe in their communities.”

Craig, Jo and their team will identify and manage risk to people who have experienced antisocial behaviour. For victims, there will be easy access to advocacy, mediation and practical help to keep them and their property safe.

Other aspects of the service will include information sharing between organisations working with victims and the issuing of warning letters to perpetrators.

Christopher Salmon said: “I want to keep communities safe against problems that blight people’s lives. I hope this scheme will prevent small things becoming crimes. Gwalia offer an innovative solution – they already have great experience in communities and in dealing with antisocial behaviour. I’m focused on improving behaviour and tackling causes of antisocial behaviour. Gwalia will work with families to give young people responsibility and respect.”

The Gwalia service – annual cost around £200,000 – will run until March 2017 and may continue beyond that. They will work closely with agencies such as Dyfed-Powys Police and local authorities. Their contract represents a streamlined approach and ensures that victims receive a consistent level of service across the region.

Those suffering antisocial behaviour should call the police on 101. Each case will be risk-assessed to decide how it is handled, with police attending where necessary and Gwalia coordinating the necessary response from all relevant agencies.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours 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

9 hours 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

9 hours 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.