News

Welsh Government could decide Newgale ice cream parlour plans

Published

2 years ago

July 22, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PREVIOUSLY-BACKED scheme to turn surplus public toilets to a takeaway ice cream parlour/coffee bar could actually be decided by the Welsh Government.

At the June meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s planning committee, members went against officer recommendations by narrowly backing the scheme.

The application, by Mike Harris, included a beach-themed small retail unit and a small rear extension for a kitchen at closed public toilets next to Newgale Campsite.

It also offered a new seasonal public disabled toilet to be provided by the applicant.

As the plan was a departure from officer recommendations, planners could only be be ‘minded to’ approve at the June meeting, meaning it would be heard again at a future planning committee for final ratification, as part of a ‘cooling off’ process.

It was expected the application would return to the July 19 meeting, but national park planners heard the scheme had been subject to a potential ‘call-in’ to the Welsh Government after a request from a ‘third party’.

‘Call-ins’ are usually only considered for far larger developments, and mean the plans may be determined by Welsh Government or return to the national park planning committee for a final decision at a later date.

It is expected a decision on whether the scheme is actually ‘called-in’ for a Welsh Government decision or will be returned for a final decision by national park planners is expected to be made in the next few weeks, members heard.

At the July meeting, Councillor Reg Owens, who had previously been vocal in his support of the scheme, raised his concern at the ‘call-in’ request.

“I can’t understand this; we invoked the cooling-off period, then they say a ‘third party’ made an application for it to be called in, are we told who this third party is?”

He said the ‘call-in’ request could be misused by “anyone who is jealous of or dislikes the applicant,” adding: “He or she can make this application and delay the development even more. I think it’s very unfair on the applicant; that should’ve come back to committee today.”

Cllr Owens added: “We had a good debate six weeks ago, we came to a decision, and someone, possibly a busybody or something like that, can delay this, and I think that’s wrong, very unfair.”

Councillor Peter Morgan said to the committee: “Welsh Government has had a letter, by all accounts, asking for it to be ‘called-in’. How do we know it wasn’t one of you?”

Members were not told the identity of the person requesting the ‘call-in,’ but did hear it was not a member of the park authority or a staff member.

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.