News
‘Medicinal’ cannabis user in court
A PEMBROKE woman pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing cannabis at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Mar 3).
The court heard that on December 6 2014 Helen Carpasso, 50, was being spoken to by the police on an unrelated matter, when officers noticed a smell of cannabis coming from her house on Main Street. Upon searching, they found 0.3 grams of herbal cannabis, which Carpasso admitted was hers. In an interview, she said that the cannabis was for medicinal purposes, and refused to reveal where she purchased the drug from. Carpasso also told officers that she disagreed with the prohibition of cannabis, and said that she would continue to smoke it.
On January 16, officers passing Carpasso’s house on Main Street smelt cannabis. After talking to the defendant, they found 1 gram of cannabis, which she again admitted was hers. Ms Morgan added that Carpasso had several previous drug sentences, and was currently under a community order, dating back to August 2014.
Defending, Matthew Greenish said that his client was ‘caught between a rock and a hard place’. Stating that Carpasso ‘disputed what happened in the build up to the arrests but admitted possessing the drugs,’ he went on to say that the defendant suffered from fibromyalgia. He told Magistrates that prescription drugs offered insufficient relief, and caused side effects. Carpasso, a mother of five, took cannabis in order to sleep properly so she could cope better with domestic life, he said, adding that under the terms of her community order Carpasso had been regularly performing unpaid work for the Paul Sartori Foundation.
The clerk told Magistrates that Carpasso currently owed £780 in fines, which were being deducted from her benefits. Magistrates issued a two-year conditional discharge, and added the £115 costs and surcharge to her existing fines.
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.
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