News

Farmer in court over poor condition of sheep

Published

9 years ago

November 28, 2016

Tom Sinclair

One of the sheep: Found in a poor condition

A FLOCK of sheep belonging to a well-known farmer was found to be in such poor condition that one of them – a pregnant ewe – had to be put down, a court has heard.

Hugh Davies of Abernant, Carmarthenshire – who also runs farms in Pembrokeshire – pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 24) to two Animal Health and Welfare offences.

He also admitted, on behalf of the partnership of AH and NA Davies, two Animal By-product offences.

The court was told that during February and April last year, Animal Health and Welfare officer from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection team made several visits to various locations in Martletwy – where Davies kept cattle and sheep – to investigate complaints they had received.

On one visit a flock of sheep belonging to Davies were found to be in poor condition and without sufficient feed, particularly as they were approaching lambing.

One ewe was found in such poor condition that, to prevent further suffering, it was euthanised. Another ewe died during the course of the visit and this animal was taken for post mortem.

The examination revealed it to be in a poor condition likely to have been caused by sheep scab infection. It was lame due to foot rot. The ewe was also carrying three full-term lambs.

The veterinary officer supported the case that lack of nutrition was majorly responsible for the animal’s death, particularly as it was supporting three lambs.

On another visit in April to Martletwy farms, Eweton and Martins Hill, officers found a large quantity of sheep carcasses in sheds and fields.

An Animal By-Products Notice was served requiring Davies to collect and dispose of all the carcasses. When officers returned to the farm, they found he had collected some but more than 10 carcasses were still present, thus ensuring failure to comply with the Notice.

In mitigation Davies said that at the time of the offences his mother was ill and the shepherd, to whom he had entrusted the care of the flock, had failed to perform his duties properly.

The Magistrates imposed a conditional discharge for 12 months for one Animal Welfare offence and one Animal By-Product offence with no separate penalty for the other two offences.

In sentencing Davies, the Bench said they could have imposed a fine but had taken into account his guilty plea and were not going to disqualify him from keeping animals.

Davies was also ordered to pay costs totally £3,525.04 plus a victim surcharge of £15. An offer to pay at the rate of £100 per month was accepted.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

58 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

1 hour 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

1 hour 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.