News

Partially sighted walker completes Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Published

10 years ago

September 30, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Enjoyable experience: Roger Barrett recently completed the path in just 17 days

A MILFORD HAVEN man who is registered blind recently walked the entire Pembrokeshire Coast Path and is now challenging people of all abilities to follow in his footsteps.

70-year-old Roger Barrett completed the 186-mile National Trail in just 17 days over a period of three months, walking eight to 16 miles a day with the help of Peter Royle, a Voluntary Activity Leader for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Roger was diagnosed with the hereditary degenerative eye disease retinata pigmentosa 30 years ago. However, he was not about to let his impaired vision stop him from conquering all the ascents, descents, twists and turns the Coast Path provides.

He said: “Overall it was a very enjoyable experience and I’d thoroughly recommend that everyone have a go at it, even if you do it in short stages.

“I talk to people who say it’s always something they’ve fancied doing – I’ve shown that with help it’s possible for anyone to do it and hopefully others will now think it’s a good idea.

“The National Park volunteers are very generous with their time and energy and their willingness to take people out to enjoy the countryside and support them.”

The trip was arranged after Roger had been put in touch with the National Park Authority’s Walkability Project Co-ordinator Paul Casson, who put a call out for volunteers to accompany him on his walk. Peter initially volunteered to help out as part of a team but ended up completing the entire Coast Path.

The pair started their journey in June, setting off from Amroth in the south towards the north so the sun was behind them, which made it easier for Roger. The dynamic duo even returned to walk on the Castlemartin Range in August to make sure they had completed every section of the Path.

Peter, who has volunteered with the National Park Authority for nearly ten years, added: “It was great fun walking with Roger. It took us a while to work out how we were going to do it and there were a few teething problems. I realised if we came to a gate and I hadn’t told him in advance, he would keep walking and I would end up wedged between him and the gate.

“I’m rather glad I got involved as it’s the first time I’ve walked the entire Coast Path and it’s nice to have done it with a purpose.

“One of the main messages I hope people take from the walk is that the Coast Path is for everyone, don’t let any disability or restriction stop you enjoying the Path.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

19 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

41 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

47 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.