News

New Chair for local Lib Dems

Published

9 years ago

July 12, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Andrew Lye: New Chair
of the Pembrokeshire and
Carmarthenshire Liberal Democrats

THE CARMARTHENSHIRE and Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats have elected a new Chair of their Local Party. This covers the four constituencies over the two counties. Andrew Lye from Johnston, near Haverfordwest , took over at their May Executive Meeting from Mike Warden, who had already announced at last November’s AGM of his intention to retire after the Welsh Assembly elections.

Mike Warden from Puncheston, Pembrokeshire, has been active in local politics for many years, including as a past candidate for Pembrokeshire County Council and for the Welsh Assembly. Mike Warden said: “My reason s for standing down are mostly to do with my age – my energy levels are not what they used to be ! Although I have retired from the Chair, I shall be continuing as a member of the Executive and still be actively involved.”

Mike Warden added: “I’m very pleased that Andrew has taken over as he has a very clear and realistic view of what the Welsh Liberal Democrats need to do – to regain the ground lost at the last two elections.” Andrew Lye has lived in Johnston for almost 15 years. He moved there from Trowbridge, the County town of Wiltshire , with his ex-wife in 2001.

Andrew’s background in politics started in 1985 when he joined the SDP. He was elected to Trowbridge Town Council in 1988 and served on it until 2001. He was Chairman of the Trowbridge Town Council in 1994-5. He also served on West Wiltshire District Council and within three days, was elected Deputy Group Leader (and Deputy Council Leader) of the ruling minority Liberal Democrat group. Andrew served his three year term as Council Leader from 1994-97.

Andrew said: “The last 2 elections were not good for the Welsh Liberal Democrats after the Westminster coalition. The irony is that our membership increased when we were reduced to eight MPs in May 2015 , and its gone up again since the result of the EU referendum was announced. But we are already planning for the 2017 County Council elections and ensuring that we have candidates lined up. “We may be relatively small in numbers, but we are playing our part at Cardiff and attend conferences .

It was just over a year ago that I proposed the motion calling for the Cleddau Bridge to be passed to the Welsh Assembly, for the tolls to end and for it to be trunked as part of the road system. This was passed overwhelmingly and was included in the 2016 manifesto. “We have begun to attract young members and we are aiming to create Youth Branches in the two counties. The youth are our future.

“With the loss of four Assembly Members , and Kirsty Williams going into Carwyn Jones’s Cabinet in charge of the Education portfolio, the Welsh Liberal Democrats under the new leadership of Ceredigion MP Mark Williams are reviewing the organisation and we have been putting our views forward. “Locally, we have to resolve the future of Liberal Chambers in St Mary’s Street, Haverfordwest , and rebuild in Llanelli.

We also have to raise our profile locally. “We accept it’s an uphill struggle, but we are not quitters and the result of the EU Referendum shows that there is still a need for a Liberal Democrat voice in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire .” If anyone would like to join Andrew and his colleagues, visit the Lib Dems’ website. They can also be found on Facebook at ‘ Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats ‘ .

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

18 minutes 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

40 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 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

46 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 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.