News
Downton Tom backs college’s new venture
DOWNTON ABBEY actor and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama graduate Tom Cullen has spoken of his support for the College’s new project to take its prestigious Young Actors Studio to West Wales, offering creative opportunities and professional actor training for young people in Pembrokeshire.
“It’s fantastic that young aspiring actors in west Wales will now have the chance to discover what being an actor is all about. Equipping themselves with all the skills needed as an actor whilst working with professional practitioners in a collaborative environment and having an absolutely great time doing it,” says Royal Welsh College graduate Tom.
Students will be offered the opportunity to audition for the acting course in March or to attend open-entry Theatre Workshops. Auditions are on Saturday, March 8 at Pembrokeshire College. Students will take part in a group workshop and perform a prepared audition piece for lecturers from Royal Welsh College.
“Drama school is an amazing route into the acting profession and the Royal Welsh College is undoubtedly one of the best drama schools in the country,” continues Tom. “Young Actors Studio will simply give these young people a fantastic learning and help make sure that young people who want to get into the profession are prepared for that.”
Fellow graduate, Merlin star and former Young Actors Studio mentor Alex Vlahos agrees: “I can honestly say that I have never been more proud of the Royal Welsh College than with their work for Young Actors Studio. The skills, the advice and excellent classes taught by world class acting teachers are invaluable, not only for aspiring actors but also for nurturing other skills for future life. I believe that Young Actors Studio is a perfect gateway on the first step towards applying for drama school. During my time as mentor there, I saw the students start as young children and then by the end of their time, mature into confident adults.”
Young Actors Studio in Pembrokeshire will officially launch in April 2014 with sessions for both Acting Courses and Theatre Workshops taking place every Saturday from April 26.
All this training is delivered by professional actors, directors, choreographers and industry professionals from both theatre and television. The Young Actors Studio currently provides weekly training at the highest level in Cardiff for around 150 talented 12-20 year olds.
For details on the free workshops, and the Young Actors courses go to www.rwcmd.ac.uk/yas.
Young Actors Studio in Pembrokeshire is made possible through its partnership with Valero, the world’s largest independent refining company and Pembrokeshire’s most significant employer.
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
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
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
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.
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