News

Rapist councillor told to quit or be booted off council

Published

7 years ago

June 19, 2018

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has said that if Cllr David ‘Dai’ Boswell, who has this week been found guilty of five child sex offences, including rape, does not resign from his roles as town and county councillors, his seat will be declared vacant.

Councillor Boswell has been found guilty of rape and indecent assault against children under the age of 13 at Swansea Crown Court this week.

He is due to be sentenced on July 13.

Pembrokeshire County Council came under scrutiny earlier this year when Cllr Boswell’s status as a councillor was questioned.

It was believed that Cllr Boswell had not been present at a meeting of the council since August 14, 2017 and the Council had been urged to declare his seat vacant.

However, the council took external advice from James Goudie QC, who believed that a meeting, held on November 22, 2017, which Cllr Boswell attended, did constitute a council meeting.

Members went along with the recommendation of the Monitoring Officer who stated that Section 86 of the Local Government Act could not lawfully be invoked, and his status as Councillor remained.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Unless the Councillor chooses to resign from both roles with immediate effect, the process is now as follows: the County Council seat of Pembroke: St Mary North will be declared vacant as soon as the legislation permits.

“The Local Government Act 1972 states that a Member is disqualified from holding office if, since election, he has been convicted of an offence and has been sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less than three months.

“Conviction is deemed to occur on expiry of the period allowed for making an appeal or application with respect to the conviction (the defence has 28 days in which to serve an appeal notice following conviction) or the date on which such appeal/application is finally disposed of.

“It is at that point that the vacancy is deemed to have occurred and the County Council may then immediately declare the office to be vacant and public notice of a vacancy can be issued.

“Throughout this period, the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults will remain of paramount importance for the Council.”

An NSPCC Cymru spokesman said following Boswell’s conviction: “Despite holding positions of responsibility in his community, Boswell carried out horrific attacks on children and it is right that he is now facing the consequences of his appalling actions.

“His victims should be commended for their bravery at speaking out and reporting Boswell’s depraved offending.

“Abuse ruins childhoods and its effects last into adulthood.

“The victims will need help and support to overcome the trauma they have gone through as they continue to rebuild their lives.

“But this case shows once again that abuse survivors can be confident to come forward and report what has happened to them, knowing that they will be listened to and that justice can be achieved no matter how much time has passed.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

11 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

11 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

11 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.