News

£27m EU-backed investment to boost prospects of young people in Wales

Published

9 years ago

July 20, 2016

TWO major projects backed by EU funding to boost the prospects of young people in Wales will be announced today (Jul 20) by Welsh Government Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford.

The projects will provide individually-tailored programmes of support, including training, volunteering opportunities and paid work placements, for more than 9,000 people over the next three years.

Around 4,500 young people aged 11 to 24 years, living in South West Wales will benefit from Pembrokeshire Council’s £19m Cynnydd scheme. This includes £13m of EU funds.

A further £5.8m of EU funds will support the £8.3m expansion of the Active Inclusion Fund to include opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds in North and West Wales and the South Wales Valleys.

Professor Drakeford said: “I’m delighted to announce EU funding for these projects, which will translate into improved skills, prospects and new opportunities for thousands of young people in Wales, helping them to reach their potential.

“These are important projects which are benefiting from the millions of pounds Wales receives from the European Union, which in turn are helping people into work and training; are supporting businesses; improving our roads and infrastructure and helping to regenerate communities.

“This is why it’s essential that we get a guarantee from the UK Government that Wales will not lose a penny of this funding as a result of leaving the EU.

”While arrangements are being made for the UK to leave the EU, we are pressing ahead with the delivery of our existing EU programmes in Wales, investing in projects to ensure continuity for citizens, communities and businesses.”

The Cynnydd scheme aims to help young people progress further in education and training and improve their future job and career prospects.

Support will include individual mentoring, coaching and counselling; courses to improve basic skills, self-esteem and life skills and work experience and volunteering opportunities.

The investment in Cynnydd follows £30m of EU funds invested earlier this year for similar schemes to support young people in North Wales, the South Wales Valleys and South East Wales.

Pembrokeshire Council’s cabinet member for the economy and communities Councillor Keith Lewis said: “The new Cynnydd project is a wonderful opportunity for us to improve the future for young people who without this support might have struggled against life’s challenges.

“This isn’t a one-size-fits-all project, but one that will be tailored to the needs and aspirations of each young person.”

The Active Inclusion fund, which is managed by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, will benefit almost 5,000 young people, providing skills programmes and paid work placements for those who are out-of-work.

Phil Fiander, the WCVA’s director of operations, said: “Almost 5,000 young people will benefit from the expansion of the Active Inclusion Fund, including many from disadvantaged backgrounds who need this type of support to turn their lives around.

“This funding will create community-based opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds to improve their skills and take part in paid work placements that will suit a wide range of interests, talents and abilities.”

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.