News

Haverfordwest: Optician recognised in national awards

Published

7 years ago

January 4, 2019

A HAVERFORDWEST optician has been recognised at a national awards ceremony for his dedication to improving local and national eye health.

Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers in Haverfordwest, was one of just two Specsavers directors in the UK to receive an award at Specsavers’ Awards for Excellence after dedicating the past decade of his career to advancing enhanced optical services.

Enhanced optical services refer to the additional training undertaken by optometrists and other eye health professionals to improve their clinical abilities and knowledge, boosting patients’ treatment.

Mr Britton said: “To be recognised at such a prominent ceremony in front of my optical peers and colleagues within my industry was an unforgettable experience. I’m over the moon.

“As a practice, our focus remains on working with other opticians, local health boards and doctors surgeries to reduce the list of patients waiting for eye health assessments. Eye care is evolving to meet increased demand. It is essential we keep learning and upskilling to ensure our patients get the best possible care.”

Mr Britton has played an essential role in better treating eye health-related issues, not only in his community but also the broader optometry field.

He is currently assisting with the development of a pathology course in London, which will be used to train other Specsavers optometrists across the UK, and he is also a proactive member of Optometry Wales’ Regional Optical Committee.

He has also completed postgraduate qualifications in glaucoma, improving his diagnosis and management of the condition, and he has recently completed an independent prescribing course, which enables him to advise GPs on treatment and will eventually allow him to prescribe directly to patients – further relieving pressure on local GP clinics.

Paul Morris, director of professional advancement at Specsavers, said: “His commitment to educating optometrists; pioneering services; working with health boards, Optometry Wales and the Specsavers group; while also leading his team, is exemplary. He has also played an unsung role in system and environment design that has benefited innumerable colleagues to better serve patients.”

Specsavers’ biennial awards, held in Birmingham, celebrated the optical achievements of its stores across the country. It received 238 entries in 13 different categories including excellence in overall performance and clinical excellence. More than 1,000 Specsavers staff from across the UK attended the ceremony, which was hosted by actor James Nesbitt.

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.