News

Milford Haven: Fishermen protest at Government restrictions

Published

8 years ago

December 19, 2017

FISHERMEN from across Wales gathered outside Milford Haven Port Authority in Hakin on Monday afternoon (Dec 18) to protest against planned fishing restrictions.

Around 30 angered fishermen had hoped to speak to Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths who was attending a meeting at the Port Authority.

Stephen De-Waine of the Pembrokeshire Fishery had wrote a letter to the AM imploring her to open her eyes and meet fisherman to understand the problems that would arise should the restrictions be imposed.

In his letter he also accused the Welsh Government of miss-managing fisheries in Wales and failing to secure adequate deals.

Mr De-Waine, who has been fishing since he was 18, told the Herald: “in 2010 Welsh Government took over responsibility for the fisheries and since then they have been eroding our fisheries. We started off in Wales with seven fisheries, they’ve closed two, they’ve put restrictions and closures on some of the others and they’re looking to put restrictions on the other ones.

“They’re not fighting on our behalf to maintain the industry so we are losing it. This, today, is a protest for the minister to say to her that she’s got to open her eyes and start paying attention to what is going on otherwise she is going to lose the fishing industry.

“They’re saying they are looking to make all fisheries sustainable for the future but in our view we had sustainable fisheries. We own small scale fishing boats, most of us own boats that are under 10m in length so you’re limited by that, you’re limited by tides, limited by what you can fish.

“Our message to the AM is that she has to open her eyes and see what the restrictions she is bringing in place for the fishing industry is doing to the industry because she is driving the industry into poverty.”

It is hoped that inshore fisheries can be restored and that no more restrictions or closed seasons be put in place.

Those who were at the protest held a number of banners stating that the Welsh Government had ruined a number of fishing industries, calling them ‘out of control’ and calling for no more closed seasons adding ‘enough is enough’.

Mark Dellar, of the Teifi Coracle Netsmen Association, told the Herald: “I’m here today because Natural Resources Wales have put a proposal out to restrict our fishing seasons and we believe it’s not justified, they’re trying to restrict us for two months of the season and also to support the rest of the fishing industry.

“We’re also trying to enlighten the minister as to what’s happening as we believe she hasn’t got all the information in front of her.”

The fishermen waited outside the Port Authority offices for over an hour hoping to speak to the minister.

However, when she arrived she was taken down to the main building and only took the letter from Stephen De-Waine before going inside.

It left many fishermen disappointed that they had not had the opportunity to speak to her.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 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

12 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

12 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.