News

‘We are all vulnerable in this crisis’ – urgent appeal to stay home and save lives this Easter Bank Holiday weekend

Published

6 years ago

April 10, 2020

Doctors, carers and vulnerable families are urging everyone to stay home and save lives this Easter, as part of continued efforts by police to keep the public safe.

From today (Thursday) Dyfed-Powys Police will be conducting increased stop-checks on arterial roads into Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys to ensure only those who need to travel are doing so.

Patrols will also continue across the four counties to ensure social distancing rules are being observed as we head into the sunny Bank Holiday weekend.

As part of the campaign key workers, cancer survivors, transplant patients and others who are most at risk have recorded personal pleas to the public to follow government advice and stay at home.

These include a GP from Pembrokeshire, the leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Helen (a home care worker from Powys) and radio DJ Tommo.

Roads Policing Inspector Andy Williams said the response from the public since the UK was placed in lockdown two weeks ago had been hugely positive, but it was vital locals and potential visitors continued to stay at home this weekend.

“We understand that Easter is a time when families and friends would usually get together to celebrate and make the most of the fine weather outside,” he said.

“But this remains a public health emergency, with many lives at stake if people do not continue to follow the government guidance.

“This isn’t just about protecting ourselves and our loved ones – it’s thinking about every shop worker, carer or off-duty paramedic we might come into contact with when out and about.

“Social distancing is essential if we are to reduce the spread of the virus and keep everyone safe.”

He added: “We will maintain a strong presence on roads across the force area this weekend, ensuring only those who need to travel are doing so.

“More people on the roads also means a greater likelihood of vehicles breaking down or being involved in an accident, which puts further strain on emergency services.”

Yesterday the Welsh Government confirmed the current UK-wide lockdown, which permits only essential travel, would be extended beyond the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Shopping for basic necessities such as food, daily exercise, travelling to and from work if you are unable to work from home, or having a genuine medical need remain the main reasons for people to need to leave their homes.

Separate advice has been issued to individuals and households who are ‘shielding’ due to existing health vulnerabilities.

The government has also clarified that those experiencing domestic abuse, or who may be at an increased risk due to lockdown measures, should still seek help.

Anyone in immediate danger should still call 999 and ask for the police.

Those who are unable to talk on the phone should call 999 and then press 55, and call handlers will listen to any background noise and make an assessment of the situation in order to respond correctly.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

21 minutes 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

43 minutes 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

49 minutes 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.