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Labour Party accuses Cllr Dowson of encouraging ‘homophobic racists’

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THE CARMARTHEN West and South Pembrokeshire Constituency Labour Party has released a statement drawing attention to what they call the ‘appalling abuse’ that Cllr Josh Beynon has suffered at the hands of ‘homophobic racists’ in the town he represents Pembroke Dock.

The statement explains that Cllr Beynon suggested to Pembrokeshire County Council to project a purple light onto Council Hall to demonstrate Pembrokeshire County Councils support for the Black Lives Matter Movement.

This prompted, say the party, a small number of vocal Facebook users to subject Josh to a torrent of vile abuse which has included racist and homophobic insults and threats.

The statement goes on to say: “It was obvious from the posts that Josh’s abusers were not really concerned about whatever he had or had not done but rather that Josh supported the Black
Lives Matter Movement.

“Several of the posts sent to Josh were so extreme that Dyfed Powys Police are now investigating them as Hate Crimes.

“The attacks on Josh were led by Pembrokeshire County Councillor Paul Dowson.

“Cllr Dowson made the statement that “White Lives Matter” and posted several other racist and homophobic posts on his Facebook page.

“Cllr Dowson has taken his Facebook Page down since several complaints were made about his behaviour to both the Public Services Ombudsman and Pembrokeshire County Council.

“The slogan “White Lives Matter” is, according to the Southern Poverty law Centre an explicitly racist statement which has been used by violent neo-Nazis and racists to counter the Black Lives Matter Movement.

“It is to be assumed that as Cllr Dowson is a politician he knew, or should have known, exactly what that inflammatory statement meant and the reaction it would provoke.

“The shifting nature of his arguments would seem to suggest that Cllr Dowson’s objection has always been to people expressing their support for Black Lives Matter and not whatever Cllr Joshua Beynon may or may not have done.

“Cllr Dowson’s supporters have taken it as a call to action. A call to action to which they responded by harassing and abusing Cllr Beynon.”

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald on Tuesday by telephone Cllr Paul Dowson said: “I immediately took down any comments aimed at Cllr Beynon, and sent him a message saying that I don’t condone any of it, and he replied thank you.”

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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