News

Reluctant councillors close Sunnybank

Published

12 years ago

March 28, 2014

COUNCILLORS were very reluctant to accept the closure of Sunnybank Residential Care Home at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, March 10.

A number of staff from the care home also attended the meeting to hear the decision. On November 4, 2013, Cabinet agreed to consult on the future of the care home in Narberth.

After a thorough consultation period it was agreed that while there was a strong desire to keep Sunnybank open there were a number of other factors that would mean the home would have to be closed. Sunnybank is valued by the current residents and their families but only a small number of people choose to go there.

The building was built in the 1960’s and was originally home for 52 people but that was reduced to 26 in 2002. The council continued to maintain the premises but as of November 2013 there were only 11 people living in the home.

One of the key factors in the closure of the home was: ‘The condition of the building and the facilities at Sunnybank do not meet modern standards’.

The report also states that the council cannot meet the £3m that would be required to refurbish the home. Councillors also recognised that staff at the care home have done an excellent job but said that the decision had to be made while Cllr Simon Hancock added: “The quality of care of the staff is not in question”.

Councillor David Simpson said: “I’ve had many conversations with the local member (Cllr Wynne Evans) over the last few years. He has had to deal with the school closure, the pool closure but this is by far the worst for him and it is terribly sad that there will not be a satisfactory outcome for all”.

Cllr Elwyn Morse added: “My sympathy does go out to the staff. They have worked very hard and have worked tirelessly with those in the community”. One of the recommendations added that the closure would be sensitively and carefully managed with residents being supported to move to alternative accommodation of their choice as soon as practicable, something which councillors agreed was very important.

Cllr David Pugh said: “It is being carefully managed, not only for the residents but for the staff as well. We have reached a stage where the building is not fit for purpose and we have to make this decision”.

Cllr Jamie Adams said: “The fact that the number of units in accommodation in use is around a third of the capacity, there is obviously a reason why people aren’t choosing Sunnybank and there are other alternatives. We will do all we can to support staff throughout this process”.

After the meeting, Narberth councillor Wynne Evans told the Herald: “I am disappointed by the decision of cabinet to close Sunnybank after 51 years of serving the people of the county. I have been given assurances that all will be done to support the staff in the coming difficult months as well as the relocation of the current residents. I wish to add that I thought the council consultation process was very fair and comprehensive; this is a sad day not just for Narberth but the entire county”.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 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

3 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

4 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.