News

Welsh Minister points to Tories for confusion over 20mph speed limit

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2024

A WELSH GOVERNMENT minister has accused Andrew RT Davies and the Conservative Party’s central office of causing confusion about the newly implemented 20mph speed limit across Wales. Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, charged that the Conservative Senedd group leader exploited a “populist opportunity” for political gain, leading to division over the regulation.

Implemented in September 2023, the contentious law changed most 30mph roads to 20mph, allowing councils to grant exemptions. The shift has sparked substantial opposition, evident from a petition to reverse the law garnering over 467,000 signatures, a record for the Senedd.

In contrast, Mr. Waters highlighted an earlier instance of support from the Welsh Conservatives for the 20mph limit. However, Tory MS Mark Isherwood noted that while there was a split in the Tory vote on a non-binding decision in 2022, the party unanimously opposed the legislation when it became binding.

The Deputy Minister criticised this change in stance, suggesting it stemmed from a strategy by the Tories to stir cultural conflict. He refuted the notion of a “blanket ban,” a term frequently used by the Conservatives, who favour a 20mph limit only in pedestrian-heavy areas like schools and hospitals. According to Mr. Waters, the guidance provided to local councils for exemptions leaves little room for flexibility.

The impact of the 20mph limit on local services was also raised, with Sam Rowlands, a Welsh Conservative regional member, pointing out changes to bus services in his constituency due to the new speed limit. Mr. Waters acknowledged the varied exemption rates across Wales, suggesting a more nuanced approach might resolve such issues.

Gareth Davies, Senedd Member for the Vale of Clwyd, criticised the policy’s impact on Denbighshire, citing the low exemption rate and complexity of the exemption system. The Deputy Minister maintained that the policy’s primary aim is to save lives and expressed willingness to adjust the approach if necessary.

Wrapping up the debate, Mr. Waters highlighted legislative constraints at the UK level that affect the ease of passing traffic regulation orders. In response, Natasha Asghar, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, defended the party’s criticism of the policy, urging the Deputy Minister to address public dissatisfaction.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.