News

New records set at land speed event

Published

10 years ago

June 14, 2016

MANY new records were set at Pendine Sands over the weekend at the Straightliners Events British and World record top speed event.

The event took place over May 21-22 and was the first time that the Bonneville vehicle classification system was used on sand in the UK and many records were established.

The Bonneville classification system was established to categorise the range of vehicles that attempt to establish or break land speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA.

Despite the unpredictable weather of the first day over 40 riders from as far afield as France turned up for action. The range of vehicles stretch from the most up to date powerful motorbikes to a pushbike and many classics and strange hybrids even a bike from the 1930’s was now running electric was in action.

Also of note over a kilometer on Saturday (21 May 2016) the following record was set by James Pratt (Dorchester on Thames) driving his ‘Poetry in Motion’ car, built on a 1926 Ford Model T chassis, at 85.307mph.

The fastest man of the day was Terry Smith who hit 194.589mph on a Suzuki Haybusa over a mile and a half on Sunday (May 22). Nearly 20 miles faster than his outing last year. Over the same distance Gilles Pujol (France) riding a strangely silent 1930’s ‘Majestic’ converted to electric reached 76.340mph.

Chris Ireland (Great Yarmouth) and his ‘Indian scout’ motorbike from the 40s in the US was in action also. He was previously featured in a TV documentary, when he went to Bonneville Salt Flats Utah USA, for a speed record event in 2014.

In addition to all the power and noise cyclist Neil Campbell (Colchester) was attempting to set a new British absolute speed record for a pushbike. His interesting arrangement had him riding behind an estate car which acted as an aerodynamic shield. He reached an amazing 94.604mph.

Straightliners organise over 40 vehicle speed evens across the UK. It is unique in that it makes its events open to all comers. The events are regulated by the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU). All participants attempting records must hold an ACU licence and pass official scrutineering.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

3 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 serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.

David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.

Multiple charges listed in register

The new magistrates’ register shows Guy charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second assault charge
Criminal damage
A further interpersonal violence allegation
A public order offence

All entries relate to the same incident and prosecution reference, presented as a multi-count case.

Defendant remanded into custody

Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Guy was remanded in custody, with the register stating: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.

The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

9 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 of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.

Multiple assault allegations
The charges listed before magistrates include:
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional strangulation
Common assault of a woman
Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
A breach of bail conditions

The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.

Bail breached — defendant remanded

On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.

He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.

The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

25 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.