News

First woman attempts to stand up paddleboard across the Irish Sea

Published

8 years ago

May 30, 2018

FIONA QUINN, a 31-year-old British adventurer, is attempting to stand up paddleboard (SUP) across the Irish Sea and, in so doing, will become the first woman ever to do this.

Today (May 30) she passed the Pembrokeshire coast on her journey.

This is part of Fiona’s ‘other’ current world record attempt, which is to become the first person ever to paddleboard the length of Great Britain, an 800-mile voyage taking a coastal route and then through the Caledonian canal towards John O’Groats.

Quinn set off from Land’s End on April 23 and has been paddling since then, only stopping to sleep and wait for optimum weather windows to travel. She has already covered off 160 miles on her adventure.

The Irish Sea can be an unforgiving stretch of water and, as well as being an exceptionally major shipping and passenger stretch, also boasts over 30 types of shark and 12 species of whales.

Quinn will be using an inflatable board designed by British SUP giant, Red Paddle Co. Having never done a sea-based adventure before Quinn is looking forward to the next leg of the trip with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

Quinn explains: “For the first time in my trip I’ll lose sight of land and I’ll have to deal with extreme exhaustion over a prolonged period of time. I’ll need to keep up the intensity though to avoid paddling into the night which is much more dangerous. Or I’ll simply run out of food and water.

“Adventure for me is most rewarding though when I’m battling the elements, discovering that I can do far more than I ever thought possible.

“I never imagined I’d be setting off on something so big and scary but I’m excited to step out of my comfort zone and see what I’m really capable of.

“When you look at life as an adventure and dare to do more, anything is possible.”

Quinn is flying the flag for female adventurers and also using her Land’s End to John O’Groats paddle to show people the incredible playground we have around the British Isles.

Quinn continues: “Watching the world go by on a board is an incredible and humbling experience. As I’ve paddled around the south west coast and towards Wales I’ve encountered the beauty of the British Isles form a completely different angle. As I cross over to Ireland and head up the Irish coast the scenery will change again. A challenge? Yes, undoubtedly but I feel so lucky I’ll have the opportunity to experience all this from a board, just using a paddle to push me along.”

Red Paddle Co, which is supporting Quinn with her venture and providing the boards commented: “We wish Fiona the very best of luck as she makes her way across the Irish Sea. Fiona is a true adventurer who won’t let anything stand in her way and we’ll be following her every paddle of the way!”

Quinn is building up a loyal and growing fanbase as she paddles her way hopefully into the record books in the next two months.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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

9 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

9 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.