Crime

Man accused of raping women after nights out in Carmarthen denies charges

Published

8 months ago

April 28, 2025

A MAN allegedly raped a woman just “30 seconds’ walk from the police station” after they left a pub together, a court has heard.

Daniel Gravell, aged 43, denies three counts of rape said to have taken place over a 20-year period following nights out at venues and parties in Carmarthen.

During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, jurors heard evidence from the alleged victims, two of whom the prosecution claim were “hopelessly and helplessly” intoxicated at the time of the alleged assaults.

On Monday, the court heard from one woman who claimed Gravell raped her in an alleyway in 2005. She told the jury that after leaving the Rose and Crown pub, she and Gravell walked towards Carmarthen Athletic Club and entered an alleyway. She said Gravell grabbed her arm, and although she tried to escape, “he was stronger than me. I tried my best.”

The court was told Gravell began having sex with her while her back was pressed against a wall. The woman said she mouthed “help” to a passer-by and attempted to lift her head to be seen by someone in a window of the Athletic Club, but Gravell pushed her head back down.

Defence barrister Tom Crowther KC questioned why this “crucial piece of information” about a potential witness had only emerged last week, suggesting the detail had been invented. The alleged victim denied this, telling the court she could not remember exactly when she recalled it.

Another alleged offence dates back to 2002, when a second woman attended a friend’s party where Gravell made her two cocktails. After later visiting a venue in Carmarthen town centre, she felt unwell and returned to the house where the party had been. The court heard she was helped into bed by a friend but later woke to a “heavy sensation” and a “thrusting movement,” seeing Gravell “very close” in front of her. She said: “I said ‘get off’ twice. My hands didn’t work to push someone off. I was trying to push him off.” She claimed Gravell told her: “It’s OK, it’s [her ex-boyfriend’s name].”

The final allegation involves a third woman, who had been on a night out with her sister in February 2022. The court heard she visited bars in Carmarthen but could not remember anything after arriving at the second venue. She woke up alone in bed, feeling sick and unwell, and noticed a burning sensation. She later arranged to take the morning after pill. Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe told the jury that she found beer cans and white powder she did not recognise in her home.

When arrested, Gravell told police he had met the woman at the bar and that the sex had been consensual.

Gravell, of Porth Y Plas, Johnstown, denies all three counts of rape. The trial continues.

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.