News

Our coastal county rattled by Imogen

Published

10 years ago

February 9, 2016

Image by Newsurf

PEMBROKESHIRE was plagued along with the rest of the UK by Storm Imogen on Monday (Feb 8). The storm cause: traffic accidents, fallen trees, bridge closure, cancelled ferries and more.

Imogen met our West coast in the early-hours of Monday which saw residents from across Pembrokeshire being kept awake by the thunder. lightening and lashing rain.

By day break the storm had not stopped and further havoc lay ahead. The Herald provided a live feed of news about what was happening around the county to keep locals up to date with what closures were in place.

A number of trees fell across roads making miserably journeys through the wind and rain even less enjoyable, some main roads to be effected were: A477 between Sageston and Milton, Pentlepoir and Saundersfoot and Upper Lamphey Road, Pembroke towards Penally.

Due to 95mph winds on the Cleddau Bridge, road users had to take the 30 miles diversion through Carew and Canaston Bridge. Flooding was another issue which caused trouble in many coastal areas which forced those who would usually use coastal routes to further congest main roads and prolong their journeys.

The main areas afflicted with flooding were: Lower Town, Fishguard, which saw flooding due to a combination of ground conditions, rainfall, high tide and existing river levels. Ritec area, Tenby, which saw the river Ritec overflow with the high tide. The entire coastline between Newgale and Kidwelly (Carmarthenshire) was subject to flood and over-topping wave warnings.

Roofing was also heavily damaged and town streets and areas were closed off due to harsh winds which included: Tesco, Pembroke Dock, being closed and evacuated through risk of injury from roofing sheets. Ysgol y Frenni, Crymych suffered loose tiles. Many areas had dislodged tiles and when whole streets were affected they had to be cordoned off.

Ysgol Bro Dewi was closed for the whole of Monday with Nun Street, St Davids being closed until the wind died down.

The A487 at Newgale towards Nolton Haven re-opened around midday after flooding and heavy pebble deposits on the coastal road had made it impassible. The road at Nolton Haven, was still blocked later into the day.

As was Broad Haven and Little haven while pebbles covering the road surfaces were being removed.

Stena Line was forced to put several of their ferries on hold while the harsh weather continued the Fishguard to Ireland ferries ceased all day, but were running by first thing Tuesday morning.

The Ferry from Pembroke Dock to Ireland was also cancelled all day with the return trip cancelled in the morning but running again by the afternoon.

Other reports came into the Herald of Traffic lights being blown down, Cables being brought down by trees and trains being delayed due to the conditions.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.