News
EU protects the Pembrokeshire Early Potato
THE LAUNCH took place this week of the first crop of Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes to be protected by European law.
Under the European Union’s protected food name (PFN) scheme certain food and drink products receive Europe-wide legal protection against imitation and misuse in recognition of their distinctiveness, quality and provenance.
Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes were granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status at the end of 2013. The award has put the famous vegetable among other PFN protected food and drinks including Champagne, Parma Ham and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, and on a par with fellow PGI products Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef.
The campaign was led by Haverfordwest-based majority farmer-owned company Puffin Produce Ltd – with the application for PGI status made to the European Commission on its behalf by DEFRA and with assistance from the Welsh Government.
As part of the first crop celebrations Alun Davies, Minister for Natural Resources and Food received some PGI protected Pembrokeshire Earlies – straight from the field.
Said Alun Davies, “I am delighted to see a great deal of hard work now coming to fruition. Gaining protected food name status is a fantastic achievement and yet again demonstrates the world class food Wales has to offer on both a domestic and international stage.
“Our new Food and Drink Action Plan will build on this success and seek to ensure that by working together we can deliver 30% growth in the Welsh Food and Drink sector by 2020.”
Pembrokeshire Earlies have been grown in the county’s fertile soils since the mid-1700s and it is one of the county’s most treasured products.
Through its ‘Blas Y Tir’ (Taste of the Land) brand, Puffin Produce has been spearheading the campaign to re-invigorate the place of the Pembrokeshire Early Potato on the plates of Wales and further afield.
Said Puffin Produce’s managing director, Huw Thomas, “The wait is now over and we are ready to start harvesting our PGI protected Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes – which will be delivered to stores over the coming weeks.
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
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
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
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.
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