News

Police swoop finds caged dogs

Published

9 years ago

August 26, 2016

DogCage WHEN Fishguard Port police stopped and searched a transit van when it arrived from Rosslare last September, they discovered almost a dozen dogs in blanket-covered cages.

The two bitches and nine puppies – destined for London – were seized by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Animal Health and Welfare Officers and placed in quarantine at a local kennel as the owner did not have the necessary documentation.

The officers arranged for the animals to be examined by a vet who found them in poor condition and full of worms.

The vet also concluded that two of the pups were too young to be transported without their mother and, a short time later, one of them died.

While at the kennels the surviving dogs were given the necessary care and vaccinations.

At Haverfordwest magistrates on Wednesday (Aug 24), the driver of the van, mother of six Martina O’Brien from Surrey, admitted two Animal Welfare offences.

She was fined £180 for each offence but this was reduced to £120 because of an early guilty plea. Full costs of £2,115.40 were also awarded, together with a £20 victim surcharge making a total of £2,375.40. She will pay at a rate of £10 per fortnight.

O’Brien appeared before the court after a warrant was issued for her arrest having failed to appear before magistrates earlier this year.

Her solicitor, Jonathan Webb, said she had failed to attend court initially because she was fleeing domestic violence.

Mr Webb said the defendant had relied on the word of the person who had sold her the dogs that they had been weaned and wormed.

He added that O’Brien had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity for which she should be given credit.

After the hearing, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Huw George, said the Authority would not tolerate any illegal landing of dogs through any port in Pembrokeshire.

“Regular checks are carried out to ensure that all dogs transported through the ports have the correct documentation with them” said Councillor George.

“Fortunately, in this case, the story does have a happy ending. All the remaining dogs and puppies have since been rehomed.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

10 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.