News

Minister calls for more information

Published

12 years ago

December 19, 2013

THE WELSH Government says it is being affected by a lack of information from the UK Government about proposed changes to the welfare system.

They say it is hampering their ability to plan how it supports some of the most vulnerable people in Wales through schemes such as free school meals and free dental treatment. That’s the warning from the Communities & Tackling Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert following talks with the UK Government about their welfare reform plans. He met Lord Freud, the Minister in charge of the welfare system on Monday and one of the topics for discussion was Westminster’s plans to replace a number of welfare benefits with Universal Credit.

The Communities Minister raised his concerns that the continued problems and uncertainties around the introduction of Universal Credit across Wales throw a question mark over the delivery of the support the Welsh Government provides to vulnerable people, including those with health problems and the disabled.

In Wales, the receipt of various welfare benefits is used to assess an individual’s entitlement to Welsh Government support such as the school uniform grant scheme and free NHS dental treatment, known as ‘passported’ benefits.

Next year Shotton in Flintshire is due to become the first place in Wales where Universal Credit will be introduced for some new jobseekers. Following the meeting, Jeff Cuthbert said: “We urgently need more information about how the UK Government’s welfare plans will work in practice because there is just a cloud of confusion over the future arrangements. This makes it very difficult to plan the changes we will need to make in order to maintain the support we provide in Wales for vulnerable people.

“I don’t think the UK Government is refusing to answer, they just don’t appear to have the answers. We are determined to make sure people continue to receive the help they are entitled to. The support we provide, such as free school meals, to already hard pressed families squeezed by the welfare changes, is really important.”

The Minister also raised concerns about the impact of the changes to housing policy known as the under occupation charge or ‘bedroom tax’.Last week the Herald published an article by Simon Hart MP who gave his views on the matter.

In it he said: “The reform of the benefit system was largely seen as essential by all parties, but we differed on the detail. For me benefits are there for people in need; for that time when life goes wrong, when you lose your job or your health; for old age or some other unexpected hardship. They should not be a lifestyle choice, or a cosy alternative to work if work is available.”

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

10 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

10 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.