Crime

Man sentenced for targeted theft at Haverfordwest pre-school nursery

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2023

A 36-year-old man, Christopher Harding, has been sentenced to a 12-month community order by Haverfordwest magistrates for stealing lead flashing off the roof of the Tots Pre-School Day Nursery in Haverfordwest. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of October 10, left the nursery owner, Mr Graham Francis, distressed and anxious about the safety of his property.

Harding, of Freemans View, Haverfordwest, appeared before the magistrates this week, where he pleaded guilty to the theft. Crown Prosecutor, Sian Vaughan, highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime. “This wasn’t an opportunist theft, but it had been well prepared for,” she stated. “He had a head torch and the items recovered in his rucksack included rubber gloves and a kitchen knife.”

Reading from a victim impact statement prepared by Mr Francis, Ms Vaughan revealed the profound impact of the incident on the nursery owner. “This is the third time my property has been targeted,” Mr Francis lamented. “It’s got to the point where I’m scared at what I’ll wake up to next. I’m currently driving into Haverfordwest twice a day to check on the property, which is taking up a great deal of my time as I’m concerned that it’ll happen again.”

The stolen lead flashing’s value remains unknown, but the damage caused to the roof amounted to £1,500. Addressing the court, Mr Tom Lloyd, representing Harding, acknowledged the gravity of the crime. “The value of what was taken remains unknown, but we’re not arguing with the compensation claim of £1,500,” he said. “This was an impulsive act. My client was intoxicated, he’d been out drinking, and it was an error of judgment.”

Supporting this perspective, the probation service officer commented on Harding’s character. “That day the defendant had been drinking, and when he drinks he does stupid things,” she said, shedding light on Harding’s lack of judgment under the influence of alcohol. Despite Harding’s qualifications as a bricklayer, he is currently unemployed, compounding his personal struggles.

After careful consideration, the magistrates sentenced Harding to a 12-month community order. As part of his sentence, he is required to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation requirement days. Additionally, Harding must wear an alcohol monitoring tag for 30 days to address his alcohol-related behavior. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation to Mr Graham Francis, along with a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

13 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

13 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

13 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.