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Pembrokeshire woman appeals for information after mother’s asbestos death

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A PEMBROKESHIRE woman whose mother died of mesothelioma is urging anyone with information about asbestos at her father’s workplace to get in touch.

Kathleen Collin’s mother, Joyce Hood, passed away after being diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer associated with asbestos exposure.

Mrs Hood was a homemaker and her family believe she was exposed to asbestos when handling the overalls of her late husband, Stanley Hood, which they think were contaminated with asbestos dust and fibre through his work at a Pembroke Power Station. It is believed Mr Hood worked as a contractor on the turbines in the power station and was involved in pipe fitting and the applying or removal of asbestos-based lagging.

Following her mother’s death, Kathleen contacted J M Parsons & Co, a Llanelli-based litigation firm specialising in asbestos-related disease claims, to assist her with an asbestos disease compensation claim.

“I am hoping to speak with anyone who can shine a light on my dad’s employment and how he could have been exposed to asbestos,” she said. “As a ‘jack of all trades’, he would have been known to a large number of workers and other members of staff, which we hope will increase our chances of finding someone who can help.

“Any information provided could be the missing piece of the puzzle we desperately need, so please get in touch if you think you can help.”

Asbestos is the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, causing thousands of deaths and serious illnesses. The number of asbestos deaths is expected to rise until 2020.

Amanda Jones, practice manager at J M Parsons & Co and the solicitor supporting Kathleen, said: “Stanley worked at the power station for a large part of his career and would have come into contact with asbestos in a variety of ways.

“Anyone who remembers Stanley Hood from their time at Pembroke Power Station, or indeed anyone who worked there in the late 60s or early 70s, should not hesitate to make contact with us.”

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 serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.

David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.

Multiple charges listed in register

The new magistrates’ register shows Guy charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • A second assault charge
  • Criminal damage
  • A further interpersonal violence allegation
  • A public order offence

All entries relate to the same incident and prosecution reference, presented as a multi-count case.

Defendant remanded into custody

Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Guy was remanded in custody, with the register stating: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.

The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.

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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 of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.

  • Multiple assault allegations
  • The charges listed before magistrates include:
  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • Intentional strangulation
  • Common assault of a woman
  • Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
  • Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
  • A breach of bail conditions

The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.

Bail breached — defendant remanded

On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.

He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.

The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.

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Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

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Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.

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