News

Overwhelming support for Abbie

Published

10 years ago

March 31, 2016

THERE has been an overwhelming reaction to a campaign to raise treatment money for a 22-year-old Pembrokeshire girl, Abbie Dunn, who is suffering from a very rare type of cancer.

In May 2013, Abbie Dunn from Fishguard was diagnosed with Craniopharyngioma, an uncommon brain tumour, and in October of the same year was forced to undergo a 10 hour surgical procedure which removed a part of the large, walnut-sized tumour.

However, on her 22nd birthday in February this year, Abbie received the horrifying news that the cancerous tumour had begun to grow again.

She was advised by a specialist that her best course of treatment for the cancer would be proton beam therapy.

The revolutionary new cancer treatment, proton beam therapy, is a fairly new type of radiotherapy, but unfortunately there are no facilities which currently provide the procedure in the UK, and the nearest places which provide Abbie’s treatment are in Florida and Oklahoma.

Abbie previously worked as a waitress at the Fishguard Bay Hotel but has now moved on to begin her new job in a pharmacy, which she is enjoying.

Abbie’s mum Helen who works as a dental nurse in Cardigan said: “Abbie has learnt to accept what has happened and copes well with everything that is thrown at her.”

“We have put in an application to the NHS to fund Abbie’s medical expenses. However, like many other families in this situation, the financial pressure we are facing is huge,” Helen continued.

To try and ease their financial pressure, on February 28 the family launched a JustGiving fundraising page with an initial goal of £10,000.

However, that amount was soon surpassed due to the generous contributions from local businesses, fundraising events and also from the public, with Fishguard and District Round Table donating £5,000 alone.

Helen said that Abbie and the rest of their family are overwhelmed with the support and compassion that has been shown in the donations they have received to put towards Abbie’s treatment.

Abbie added: “Your generosity will not only benefit me directly but hopefully go on to make a huge difference for many other people going through the same. Thank you all for being so thoughtful. It means a lot.”

Helen said: “We set up the JustGiving page for three reasons; firstly to raise awareness for this rare disease, secondly to raise money to support Abbie on her journey, and finally we are hoping to raise enough money to support other families who are also heading out to the USA for proton beam therapy.”

“The financial support has been a huge help, but while all this is going on we must not forget that Abbie is still a very poorly young lady with a huge battle ahead,” Helen concluded.

Abbie and her family are hoping to fly to the United States in May.

To leave a message of support for Abbie or donate money towards her proton beam therapy, visit her JustGiving page at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/abbie.

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.