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Chevron blast: Who is actually being prosecuted?

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CLAIMS by Valero Energy UK Ltd, the company operating Pembroke refinery, that it is not being prosecuted by HSE over a fatal blast in 2011 have been contradicted by the Health and Safety Executive.

But the incident clearly took place when Chevron was at the helm – so why is Valero being prosecuted, whilst Chevron is not?

The answer is about corporate structures, and the law governing companies.

Chevron Corporation in the USA will not face prosecution, as it sold the company which operated the oil refinery to Valero Energy Corporation, another American firm, in 2011, two months after the explosion which killed four people.

That operating company, which was originally founded in 1916 as Texaco Limited, became Chevron Limited in 2006, and then Valero Energy Limited on 10 August 2011.

On 31 December 2013 Valero Energy Limited became Valero Energy UK Limited during a corporate restructuring exercise.

In effect, the company Chevron Limited, which was the company operating on behalf of the American oil giant in the UK is still operating, under its new name Valero Energy UK Ltd.

In law, a company is a legal person, meaning it can be prosecuted and found guilty of an offence, just like a real person. Even if a person changes his or her name, a prosecution can still be brought for an alleged crime before the name change.

In this case, the companies being prosecuted by HSE are B & A Contracts Limited, and the firm founded 1916 as Texaco Limited which is now called Valero Energy UK Ltd. If you think that is confusing consider that the refinery is now being run by Valero Energy Limited, a different legal entity to Valero Energy UK Limited – but both still owned by Valero in the USA.

If they were being accurate, Valero would have to admit they were being prosecuted – but as one company they own, but as another, and that Chevron Corporation is completely home and dry.

Confirming that there had been confusion regarding who exactly was being prosecuted, a spokesperson from the Health and Safety Executive told The Herald: “Valero Energy UK Limited is one of the companies that HSE is prosecuting. The company number is 00145197. That company was previously named Valero Energy Limited and previous to that Chevron Limited. It should be noted that the current operator of the refinery now is Valero Energy Limited, which is a different legal entity.”

A Valero spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have been informed that the Health & Safety Executive is to bring proceedings against Chevron in relation to the incident at Pembroke Refinery in 2011.”

“Valero itself is named as a party to the proceedings simply because of its subsequent acquisition of the refinery.”

The Herald does not agree that proceedings are being taken against Chevron in any way.

The families have been asked for a comment.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

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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.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

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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.

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Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

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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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