News

Farmer banned from his own home

Published

11 years ago

December 1, 2014

A RESTRAINING order has been issued to prevent a farmer returning to his property after he was evicted. Charles Chestnut, age 52 and from Whitland pleaded guilty to illegally entering a residential property with a view to living in it at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court. Chestnut was asked to state his full name and said: “My name is Charles, just Charles.”

He failed to provide any further information to the court. Chestnut lived at Pant yr Odyn Farm up until June this year. He had a mortgage with Yorkshire Building Society but had accumulated over £114,000 in areas so his property was repossessed. Prosecution Solicitor Vaughan Pritchard Jones said: “He was evicted by bailiffs in July but he has on a number of occasions gone back to the property.

The police have been called on previous instances to remove him.” The locks had been changed to keep him out of the property but Chestnut still claimed the property belongs to him despite the County Court Order handing ownership of the farm to Yorkshire Building Society. Police were called to the farm on Thursday and when they arrived they caught Chestnut leaving the property through the back door, he was then arrested.

Representing himself in court, Chestnut said: “I am still in possession of Pant yr Odyn. There has been no High Court Order. I can not be a trespasser if I am still in lawful possession.” Chestnut was made aware that because he had not appealed to the High Court, which he confirmed, that they would not have any recollection of the case so would therefore not make any decision on the farm.

Although Chestnut pleaded guilty he still continued to plead his innocence and believed he had done nothing wrong. During proceedings Chestnut spoke continuously and at one point Mr Jones requested that he should be held in contempt of court if he did not stop speaking. Magistrates explained that the property is now owned by Yorkshire Building Society and that Chestnut had no right to be there. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and and ordered to pay £85 in court costs. A restraining order was out in place to prevent Chestnut from entering the property. Following the reading of the verdict, Chestnut refused to accept the sentence: “I cannot consent to this order.”

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

9 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.