News

Welsh Government must ‘get a grip’ on NHS dental crisis says Crabb

Published

2 years ago

September 11, 2023

PRESELI MP Stephen Crabb has once again been vocal about the lack of NHS dental care available in Wales under new Welsh Government imposed contracts.

Another local dental practice, ‘mydentist’ located in Quay Street, Haverfordwest has made the decision to return their NHS contracts to Hywel Dda University Health Board effective 30 November. This will mean that from 1 December ‘mydentist’ will no longer be providing NHS dental care for existing patients and will not be taking on any new NHS patients.

Many constituents continue to contact Mr Crabb worried about availability of dental appointments before the cut-off date, and the long term impact of reduced NHS services on dental hygiene in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Crabb has previously questioned the First Minister of Wales Mr Drakeford MS on this, and written to Health Minister Eluned Morgan, MS Minister for Health and Social Service regarding the poor provision of dental services in the region.

Commenting on the latest announcement, Preseli MP commented: “It is deeply concerning to hear the news that yet another dental surgery in Pembrokeshire will no longer be offering NHS appointments from 1 December. This is yet another example of Welsh Government dragging their feet on an important issue.”

“My inbox continues to fill up with emails from constituents who are anxious about how they are going to fund their dental work due to the lack of NHS provision locally.”

“Welsh Government must get a grip and address this before the problem deteriorates further and stop forcing patients into financial difficulty through promoting private dental care over NHS.”

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has expressed his frustration over news.

He said that the news comes as a particular shock, given that the First Minister himself has said that over 17,000 more patients are receiving NHS dental care in the Health Board area and that the Welsh Government has made extra investment to ensure more people can access NHS dental services.

Mr Davies said, “It’s deeply disappointing to see more dental practices handing back their NHS contracts to the local Health Board and I know this will be a blow for patients. Access to NHS dental services has long been a problem in Pembrokeshire and yet, when challenged, the First Minister simply won’t acknowledge the severity of the problem and instead maintains the view that thousands more NHS dental appointments have been made available.”

He added, “I continue to receive a significant amount of correspondence from people across Pembrokeshire regarding dental services. Many are living in discomfort and pain and it’s simply not good enough. The Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board need to recognise that this is a crisis and redouble their efforts to attract dentists providing NHS care to the area.”

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.