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Seventeen skeletons found in Haverfordwest

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Credit - Dyfed Archaeology

ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Haverfordwest have unearthed the remains of 17 skeletons. 

The body remains, according to the Dyfed Archaeological team, were burials associated with the mediaeval Friary of St Saviours.

The discovery came during the demolition of the former Ocky White’s store. 

Plans to rebuild the building into a three-story food emporium with a bar and a rooftop deck prompted the exploration. 

Tom Jamieson, a site supervisor, said: “It gets exciting when you start finding things.

“[We] did an initial check last October with the site simply covered by the remains of a demolished shop. But an exploratory trench found just one medieval tile which gave us hope. It showed there was evidence of an earlier medieval period under all this.”

Archaeologists dug excavations after discovering the tile and found walls, drains, and high-quality floor tiles believed to be from France.

A floor tile found on the site. Credit – Dyfed Archaeology

Measuring an estimated 40m long and 12m wide, it is believed the Friary occupied a riverside site roughly 200m long.

The Friary was established on an earlier site but moved to this site in Haverfordwest in 1258.

It was home to eight Blackfriars, who became immensely wealthy thanks to gifts from landowners, lords, and royalty. 

Henry VIII’s decision to dissolve the Friary in the 1530s may have been influenced by their wealth.

The Friars’ mission was to preach and help the poor and sick.

“The site is like a layer cake,” explained another site supervisor, Andrew Shobbrook.

“There were remains of the former shop, evidence of an iron foundry and below that the remains of the Friary.”

The skeletons found were buried in shrouds, and one shroud pin has been unearthed.

The remains will be scientifically analysed and then re-buried in consecrated ground.

The project began in February and is due to complete in June. The archaeological team expects to have dug down to the original gravel up to a depth of 2 metres.

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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