News

Concern over Local Tourism Tax

Published

6 years ago

July 24, 2019

COUNCILLOR DAVID HOWLETT has voiced his concern after the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor David Simpson twice refused to rule out wanting to implement a local Tourism Tax. The exchange took place at a meeting of the Council on Thursday July 18.

Commenting on the exchange, Cllr David Howlett said: “With the Welsh Labour Government increasingly talking about allowing local tourism taxes, I was keen to know the views of the current executive of Pembrokeshire County Council. When I have previously brought forward a debate on my concerns of a Wales wide tourism tax, I had been astounded that the vast majority of the Council Cabinet did not agree with my calls that we should write to the Welsh Government outlining our opposition.

“I feel a local Tourism Tax would be even more damaging as potentially you could have one side of a county boundary levying a tax, whereas just a short distance away no such tax may be levied.

“With tourism worth an estimated £585 million to the Pembrokeshire economy, I strongly feel that any tourism tax, whether national or local would damage such a vital part of Pembrokeshire’s economy. Given this importance I was keen to know the views of the Cabinet.

“Twice I asked the Leader whether he or his administration would rule out a local tourism tax. Sadly twice the Leader refused to answer my question.

“Cllr Simpson’s Cabinet have voted for an eye-watering, inflation-busting Council Tax increase of 22.5% over the last two years, which I opposed. I am concerned that given the opportunity, Cllr Simpson and his Cabinet could not resist the temptation to try to levy a local Tourism Tax, which in my view would be hugely damaging to the Pembrokeshire economy.

“Cllr Simpson’s refusal to rule out a local Tourism Tax will set alarm bells ringing in our County. I am calling on Cllr Simpson to give an assurance to our tourism sector that he or his administration will not try to levy a local Tourism Tax.”

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.