Crime

‘Wake up call’ for NHS worker found guilty of drink-driving in SUV

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE NHS worker has been sentenced after being found guilty of driving his SUV vehicle when he was almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Police received reports that Robert Preen, 39, of Law Street, Pembroke Dock, had been seen driving near his home address on the afternoon of May 20, 2023.

“At approximately 4.40pm police received information that a male appeared to be drunk,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was seen stumbling, and then he entered a vehicle and drove off, hitting a kerb.”

As a result of information supplied to the police, officers traced a red Vauxhall Grandland to Preen’s home address in Law Street, Pembroke Dock.

However Preen denied being the driver.

“He initially said it was his partner [who was driving], but he was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to be the driver,” said Ms Baker.

Subsequent breathalyser tests confirmed that Preen had 116 mcg of alcohol in his breath. The legal limit is 35.

Following his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on March 28, Preen was found guilty of drink-driving.

“He was convicted, but he still maintains that he drank alcohol after returning home,” said probation officer Julie Norman.

“He’d had an argument earlier that day with his partner, he drank one glass of wine and then his partner left. The defendant decided to go and see a friend but he then left the property and drove back. That’s when he was reported.”

Ms Norman added that when he arrived home, Preen claimed he had found some vodka in his garden shed, which he drank.
She said that Preen, who has no previous convictions, is currently employed with the NHS.

“He’s admitted that he has an issue with alcohol and, in the past, has sought assistance with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Advisory Service [DDAS],” she said. “But he’s still managing to hold down a full time job.”

Preen was ordered to pay a total of £1,322, comprising a £588 fine, £620 costs and a £114 surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 24 months. He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order which includes 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. During this time he will be referred to DDAS.

“You’ll go from this court knowing that you’ve brought this upon yourself,” said presiding magistrate Mary Smith. “I hope that you learn from this experience and won’t find yourself back here again. This is your wake-up call.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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

10 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

10 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.