News

Coastguard issues appeal for ‘Minke’ – yacht with one man aboard

Published

2 years ago

June 29, 2023

HM COASTGUARD has issued an urgent appeal for the whereabouts of Duncan Lougee, the missing yacht captain who embarked on a solo challenge to Ireland. Lougee, participating in the renowned single-handed Jester Challenge, set sail from Plymouth on 18th June aboard his 25-foot fibreglass folkboat named ‘The Minke’. His intended destination was Baltimore, Ireland, via the Isles of Scilly, with an estimated arrival date of 22nd June.

Alarming reports have emerged revealing that there has been no contact with Lougee since his departure, sparking grave concerns for his safety. HM Coastguard Dale, in collaboration with the Irish Coastguard, UK police, and the RNLI, has initiated a comprehensive search and rescue operation to locate the missing sailor.

“The Minke,” Lougee’s vessel, is easily recognisable with its white hull and white sails, bearing the sail number FB597. All other participating vessels in the Jester Challenge have been accounted for, heightening the urgency of finding Lougee and his boat.

Described as an experienced sailor in his late 60s, standing at 6 feet 1 inch, Lougee is believed to have been wearing glasses, Musto oilskins, and waterproof boots at the time of his disappearance. The last sighting of Lougee was reportedly near Helford River around 2 pm on Monday, 19th June.

Lougee’s impressive sailing credentials include successfully navigating the Atlantic solo on three separate occasions, sailing from Plymouth to Azores and back. He has also completed the same crossing to Baltimore previously. Alongside his sailing ventures, Lougee is employed as a yacht broker and boat builder, further highlighting his deep expertise in maritime matters.

The sailing community has been following the developments closely, with prominent sailing blogger Sallu Lucy-Ann Stamford confirming that all other participants in the Jester Challenge have either reached Baltimore or retired to alternative ports, except for Duncan Lougee and his 25-foot Folkboat Minke.

Despite extensive efforts by Falmouth MCA, the Irish Coastguard, and an aerial search covering the area between the Scillies and Baltimore, the whereabouts of Minke and Lougee remain unknown. Adding to the puzzling circumstances, Lougee is equipped with both an Emergency Position-Indicating Beacon (EPIRB) and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), neither of which have been activated. Weather conditions in the Celtic Sea have been relatively calm, intensifying the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

While hopes have not yet diminished that Lougee may have encountered a major setback and is striving to find a safe haven, the waiting period has been incredibly challenging for his partner, Louise. The thoughts of all past and present Jester Challengers are with her during this distressing time.

The Department of Transport has emphasised that the Coast Guard is working closely with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to gather any potential sightings or reports of the missing yacht. Any individuals with information regarding The Minke or Duncan Lougee are urged to contact the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 01326 317575 without delay.

As the search for Duncan Lougee and his vessel continues, the urgency to locate him and ensure his safety grows more critical by the minute. The entire maritime community remains on high alert, eagerly awaiting any breakthrough that may shed light on this baffling disappearance.

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.