News

West Wales community group aims to launch local sustainable Community Benefit Society

Published

4 years ago

April 23, 2022

THE HUBBERSTON and Hakin Community Forum, a development group focused on the regeneration of local communities in the Milford Haven area, is pleased to announce its Community Asset Transfer application to Pembrokeshire County Council for a new, sustainable local redevelopment project.

The Forum, which has spearheaded community redevelopment through the Building Communities Trust’s ‘Invest Local’ funding programme since 2016, is looking to secure Council approval for a new commercially sustainable and community-led development agenda, coordinated through a new organisation, the Gelliswick Bay Development Society.

Using a proportion of remaining funds secured under the Invest Local programme, the Forum’s proposal will create a new, self-sustaining development project allowing the community to come together to allocate investment in their local area. This central tenet of the Forum’s vision is designed so that it leaves a legacy to serve the needs of the community, not just today but long into the future.

The Gelliswick Bay Development Society will seek private, local investment into the fund and investors will have a vote on future development plans in their area. A large proportion of the Society’s profits will be reinvested into local organisations and associations in the community with some profits also held back to ensure future investment for generations to come.

Following the necessary approvals from the Council, initial plans are focused on the redevelopment of the former caravan park at Gelliswick. During this phased project, additional camping and parking facilities will be introduced, with subsequent development to involve the introduction of woodland walks, sports areas, coffee shop facilities, and workshops, as well as a resource centre to be used by local organisations, associations, and schools. There will also be an area of dedicated Green Space for the communities’ wellbeing, with eco-therapy courses and other opportunities for local people to practice rural crafts available.

The proposal has been made both with the community in mind and by the community itself, with extensive engagement and consultation with a wide range of local stakeholders including the Sea Scouts, Sea Cadets, Gelliswick School, Preservation Society, and local residents.

David Warrell (Forum Chair), the Hubberston and Hakin Community Forum, commented:

“We see this as a unique opportunity to create a long-lasting, sustainable and community-led investment platform that can focus on the redevelopment of our beloved communities. The monies we received under the Building Communities Trust’s ‘Invest Local’ programme back in 2016 has been transformational but was never designed to last forever.

“In launching this Community Benefit Society, we want to ensure that there is a legacy for the future generations to reap the rewards so that our communities flourish for years to come.

“Our gratitude is particularly extended to Forum colleague, Darren Briggs, for his immense effort in pulling together the proposal and application.”

The proposals will be submitted to the Pembrokeshire County Council and will be subject to review, planning and funding considerations and appraisals.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 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

12 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

12 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.