News

Police remind the vulnerable to beware of bogus and cold callers

Published

9 years ago

October 12, 2016

door-knock-preview FOLLOWING reports of a spate of recent cold calling events in Pembrokeshire, Dyfed-Powys Police are reminding homeowners and relatives of vulnerable people to be vigilant to the risks of cold callers.

Bogus callers prey on the most vulnerable people in our communities attempting to con them out of vast amounts of money for unnecessary and overpriced work. Sometimes they pretend to be from reputable companies and sometimes they resort to distraction tactics.

Cold callers will phone or knock your door unannounced and try to sell you a product or service. Many are genuine but some can be scams.

Sergeant Geraint Lewis, of Dyfed Powys Police, said: “Unfortunately not everyone who knocks unannounced at your door has a genuine reason for being there. Bogus callers are criminals and we encourage residents to beware and know what to do if they do receive a visit from a bogus caller with making sure you ask for ID a priority, along with fitting and using a door chain. If in doubt, keep them out.”

Police in Pembrokeshire are warning homeowners and relatives of elderly and vulnerable people to be aware that bogus and cold callers are out there and to advise of some simple steps people can take to protect themselves:

Consider fitting a chain on the door – and always use it. Remember to keep the door chain on until you are sure your caller is genuine.
Do not let anyone into your home that you do not know or until you are completely satisfied that they are who they say they are.
Make sure the caller is genuine. Ask to see identification. If in doubt, telephone the company the caller says they work for. Don’t use a number on their card but look it up in the phone book.
Don’t let the caller stop you doing these things by saying he or she is in a hurry. A genuine caller won’t mind waiting outside with the door closed while you ring.
If you are blind, partially sighted, or have difficulty moving about, you can arrange to have your meters read at an agreed time by a named person. When they call, the meter reader will give their name or an agreed password. If you are worried ring the police.
Ask a neighbour or friend to visit while the caller is there
Never leave a key hidden outside the home (e.g. under a doormat)
If you are selling your home, don’t show people around on your own. Ask your estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants to view your house.

Call 101 to report a suspected bogus caller or rogue trader. Call 999 if they become aggressive or to report a distraction burglary.

For more advice on protecting yourself and your home from bogus callers visit www.dyfed-powys.police.uk or call 101.

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

9 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

9 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.