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Government moves to ban Russian ships from UK waters following online outcry

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HOURS after hundreds of people from Milford Haven and the surrounding area clearly opposed ships from Russia berthing at a Milford Haven oil terminal the government has acted to turn all ships around which are owned, controlled, chartered or operated by any person connected with Russia.

A row erupted on Facebook when it became public knowledge that an oil tanker was headed from Primorsk, via the Baltic Sea. The next vessel, The Louie, currently sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands, is due to arrive as soon as March 4.

( More on Russian tankers in Milford Haven from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/28/russia-oil-tanker-docked-in-wales-even-as-uk-moves-to-restrict-access-ukraine-sanctions )

The Pembokeshire Herald published an article online, which has been commented on by hundreds of people against The Louie entering Milford Haven port.

Milford Haven Port Authority said it is awaiting direction from the UK Government regards ships from Russia heading for Milford Haven.

On his Twitter feed, The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, posted “Today I’ve written to all UK ports asking them not to provide access to any Russian flagged, registered, owned, controlled, chartered or operated vessels. Given Putin’s action in #Ukraine I’ve made clear these vessels are NOT welcome here with prohibiting legislation to follow.”

Is is currently unclear if the new direction will mean that The Louie would need to turn around. That would depend if the ship was chartered or controlled by any person connected with Russia.

The government said that it would “seek to support UK ports identyifying Russian ships within the scope of the above, and will communicate directly with the relevant ports when we identify ships bound for UK ports who fall within scope [of the new rules].”

Speaking of the ship, Milford Haven councillor Stephen Joseph said: “I am 100% against this tanker coming to Milford Haven. And I am 100% behind the people of Ukraine. I also have sympathy for the Russian soldiers who have been, in my view, hookwinked into this attack. The poor buggers thought they were on an exercise, from what I understand.

“I don’t think that Putin’s actioned have been justified, but I am worried that he is mad enough to do something really stupid to save face or to prevent being overthrown. He rants and raves and changes focus, he is not a rational man.”

Cllr Joseph added: “If the ship is not turned around I hope that a protest can be organised. I certainly would be attending.”

Sam Kursz MS said: “Given the horrific images of invasion and war led by Putin’s forces in Ukraine, Grant Shapps & the UK Government have my full support in refusing Russian entry to UK Ports – including those in Pembrokeshire.

“The maritime sector is a fundamental part of international trade; this ban will hit hard on Russia’s economic interests and prohibit their ability to profit from our economic output.It is not appropriate, nor welcome, to continue granting Russian vessels access to our country.

“I welcome this move and I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

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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