News

Charity walk for WWII veteran raises both tensions and funds

Published

2 years ago

September 23, 2023

ON SATURDAY (Sept 23) Pembrokeshire witnessed a charity walk that has since become a focal point of conversation, drawing both admiration and critique.

Organised by Darren Edmundson and promoted through the Twitter handle @98YearOldHomeless, the event began at the Pembroke Train Station at 10am and made its way to Tenby. Its objective was to raise funds for a 98-year-old WWII D-Day hero veteran, Alfi Guenigault, who had recently been served a no-fault eviction notice.

The campaign backing Guenigault has garnered significant support. Separately to the walk, A GoFundMe page titled “98Year homeless world war 2 veteran” was set up with an initial goal of £10,000. As of now, the fundraiser has reached a commendable £8,891, with contributions from 367 donors.

Dolly Drayson, the chief organiser of that fundraiser, outlined the pressing needs of the veteran.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the charity walk, organiser Darren Edmundson said: “It went really well; everyone completed the ten miles.

“It was so disheartening to witness the far-left’s Stand Up to Racism counter-protesting against a WW2 D-Day veteran who is 98-years-old.

“They were fully aware that this was a non-political event.

“Alfred Guenigault is among the mere six surviving British D-Day veterans – he unquestionably deserves our support.”

Yet, the event was not without contention. Allegations emerged suggesting a participant, who it was claimed bears resemblance to Adolf Hitler and named as Alex Yerbury, arrived in military attire.

This attracted the attention and concern of anti-racism campaigners, Stand Up To Racism Swansea, who staged a counter-protest in Pembroke. Their claims that some of the marchers appeared intoxicated added to the unfolding drama. A claim which was denied.

Stand Up to Racism West Wales, underscoring their prompt intervention, relayed their primary mission was to emphasise that right wing ideologies had no place in their community, resulting in the marchers being shown the exit.

This episode, a blend of genuine charity intentions and impassioned debate, serves as a poignant reminder of the deeply entrenched sentiments in west Wales.

As the fundraiser continues to gain momentum, the event’s aftermath is likely to be a subject of local conversation for a while.

*A poster by Stand Up To Racism attempting to gather support against the charity walk (Facebook)*

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

12 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

12 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

12 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.