News
Together for mental health – one year on
REAL progress has been made to improve mental health services in Wales over the past year, a Welsh Government report published last month month shows.
The first annual report highlights progress made in the 12 months since the launch of the Welsh Government’s strategy for improving the mental health and wellbeing of the whole population.
Together for Mental Health is the first strategy of its kind in Wales. As well as aiming to improve mental health services, it seeks to pick up on mental health issues earlier, intervene more quickly when necessary, and reduce the stigma often associated with mental ill health.
Among the achievements highlighted in the report is an improvement in dementia care across all health boards. One of the aims of the strategy is that NHS staff recognise and respond sooner to signs and symptoms of dementia. As a result, most health boards have rolled out schemes for improved identification of dementia and for care planning tailored carefully to the individual.
People of all ages across Wales are now receiving the care they have a right to under the Welsh Government’s ground-breaking Mental Health Measure legislation. More than 29,000 people accessed treatment within the first 11 months of new primary care schemes funded by £3.5million from the Welsh Government. In addition, over 85% of people in specialist services now have care and treatment plans in place.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford launched the Together for Mental Health Annual Report at Ysbryd y Coed in Swansea, a 60-bed unit for older people with dementia. The £18.5million unit opened in November 2012.
Mark Drakeford said: “With one in four of us experiencing mental ill health during our lives, it is vital we do everything possible to improve general well-being in Wales and to provide the best care possible for those needing treatment.
“We have done much to improve mental health services in Wales in recent years, not least by ring-fencing investment in services such as those provided here at Ysbryd y Coed.
“The Annual Report on our mental health strategy is full of excellent examples from across Wales of work being done to keep people in good mental health and to support those with mental ill health.
“In the next 12 months, we will build on this work, with a particular focus on improving access to psychological therapies.”
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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