News
Council chief’s tax-dodge
H E R A L D E X C L U S I V E
An obscure Council Committee, meeting in secret session, decided to help Pembrokeshire County Council top boss Bryn Parry-Jones help himself to a tax break, The Pembrokeshire Herald has exclusively revealed in this week’s edition.
The hard-hitting story reveals that the tax dodge allows Bryn-Parry Jones to opt out of the Local Government Pension Scheme and get paid the equivalent of the Council’s contribution every year to invest or do with as he wished.
The minutes of the secret meeting show that current IPPG supremo Jamie Adams, former IPPG leader John Davies, former IPPG deputy John Allen-Mirehouse, current IPPG Cabinet member Sue Perkins, former Tory leader Stan Hudson and now-retired Councillor and former IPPG Cabinet
member David Wildman, unanimously backed the deal.
Unusually, the meeting was held in Bryn Parry-Jones’ office at County Hall.
The BBC has followed up The Herald’s story and confirmed that Bryn Parry-Jones was at the meeting where his own pay and conditions of employment were discussed. He was the only Council employee to take advantage of the tax avoidance scheme in the last tax year.
The editor of The Pembrokeshire Herald, Thomas Sinclair, said:
“The Welsh Audit Office has determined that a very similar tax avoidance scheme in Carmarthenshire is unlawful. We say that whether the scheme is unlawful or not is only part of the story. The main point is that this is a big tax break given to the well-off and well-paid when ordinary workers are having their pay and hours cut. Whether lawful or not, this tax dodge scheme is immoral.”
Local UNISON Branch Secretary Vic Dennis agreed and expressed shock at news of the tax dodge. “UNISON members at County Hall who have taken large cuts in their wages will be appalled.”
FOR MORE: READ THE FULL STORY EXCLUSIVELY IN THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD THIS WEEK
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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Tomos
October 1, 2013 at 8:31 am
Do you have no decency left Sir?
RESIGN!
Alan Wilkinson
October 8, 2013 at 7:13 am
So, the highest paid council official in Wales can award himself and his cronies a ‘bonus’ amounting to more than most people in Pembrokeshire earn in a full year. Is that what public service is about now? Why is this man still in his job?
Mark Llewhellin
November 24, 2013 at 8:24 am
Two Very good points from Thomas & Alan.
I have no bad feelings towards Bryn Parry Jones but he is simply not the right man for the job.
The people set up Government & council to “Serve” them. Not award yourself pay that you dictate & cut services and other people’s pay.
There needs to be transparency with decisions in the council & the “People” should vote who they want to run their county!!