News

Street Pastors celebrate fifth anniversary

Published

12 years ago

March 31, 2014

AS THE street pastors of Haverfordwest celebrated their fifth anniversary last Thursday an enthusiastic group of Christians from various churches in Pembroke gathered with the intention of establishing another initiative south of the Cleddau in the near future.

The meeting, which was held at Westgate Evangelical Chapel Pembroke, took advantage of the fact that Rev Les Isaacs was the guest speaker at the anniversary celebrations planned for Withybush showground later that evening. Rev. Isaac is one of Britain’s most influential black church leaders and co-launched the first Street Pastors initiative together with Baptist minister David Shosanya and Detective Constable Ian Crichlow in 2003. Street Pastors provides a late night outreach service in high crime areas to tackle the issue of guns, knives and violent crimes on the streets of Britain. Reflecting on the developments within Pembrokeshire Rev Isaacs said “We launched in Brixton in 2003 with 18 people of which 15 were women. The public’s response was really fascinating. People wondered why it had taken the church so long and said it was about time they could see the church out on the streets. And then they began to talk to us, telling us all their problems because they felt safe and could see that somebody cared for them. We’ve seen our numbers grow from 18 to more than 11,000 volunteers within the UK.

“We’re also now becoming established in about 8 other countries from Nigeria to America, Australia and Antigua. Other countries are in the pipeline too, including India and Uganda” “It’s brilliant see what has happened in Haverfordwest and to contemplate what might happen in Pembroke. Street Pastors is fantastic because it’s a tool for the church.

“So let’s get out there; let’s be visible; let’s serve and let’s bless our community” Emphasising that street pastors “do not preach at people” he added “We are to be true to our calling to be the light of the world. Just being there is reason enough.

“I remember one guy telling me that he had been watching me for a year and I know that some young people told Michael Howard, the former leader of the Conservative Party that when they saw street pastors at work they saw God walking the streets” Sam Scadden, Project Leader in Haverfordwest said “Five years of Street Pastors in Haverfordwest has been a great blessing to many people.

To begin with it has been very special being out with people on the streets and meeting some of their practical needs right where they are.It has been wonderful to see so many people from different churches and backgrounds networking together.

Many have made new friends and are now supporting each other in many positives ways. We are now looking to recruit our fourth intake of street pastors this summer and are pleased that we may be training with friends from Pembroke, who are looking to initiate a team in their town. Pastor Rob James who is spearheading the Pembroke initiative in conjunction with Rev G Howells of Hundleton said, “I have always been impressed with this work.

“Two of my sons have been heavily involved in Street Pastor projects in London and I know the impact that ordinary Christians can have on the crime rate and the culture of our streets at night. I am thrilled to see a well spring of enthusiasm in Pembroke and delighted with the support we are receiving from the local police.

If anyone wants to know more they can contact me or turn up at our next meeting in Westgate on Thursday March 27tth at 7.30pm”

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

4 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.