News

MPs back historic move to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales

Published

6 months ago

June 17, 2025

MEMBERS of Parliament have voted decisively in favour of changing the law to decriminalise abortion for women in England and Wales.

The amendment, introduced by Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, will remove the threat of criminal prosecution for women undergoing abortions after the current 24-week limit. Antoniazzi argued passionately that women facing late-term abortions are in “desperate situations” and need “compassion, not criminalisation.”

MPs were allowed a free vote on the issue as a matter of personal conscience, and the measure passed comfortably by 379 votes to 137—a majority of 242.

Currently, abortions in England and Wales are legal up to 24 weeks, with exceptions permitted beyond this period if the woman’s life is at risk or under other specific conditions. Antoniazzi’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill ensures that women can no longer face arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment for ending a pregnancy at any stage.

Highlighting her argument in Parliament, Antoniazzi pointed out that nearly all abortions—99%—occur before 20 weeks. She emphasised that the small percentage who undergo late-term abortions are often vulnerable and facing complex personal circumstances.

“Each case represents a profound tragedy enabled by an archaic law,” she said. “This outdated Victorian legislation, created by an all-male parliament, has increasingly been weaponised against vulnerable women and girls.”

Labour MP Stella Creasy urged colleagues to consider broader changes to abortion laws, including repealing the 1861 Act entirely and formally recognising abortion access as a fundamental human right. Despite receiving significant initial backing, Creasy’s amendment did not proceed to a vote following concerns from abortion providers such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, who suggested it was not the optimal path to long-term reform.

Meanwhile, a Conservative amendment introduced by shadow health minister Dr Caroline Johnson, proposing to end the practice of allowing abortion medication by post without an in-person consultation, was rejected by MPs, with 379 voting against and 117 in support.

The landmark vote marks a significant step in abortion law reform, removing longstanding criminal penalties and shifting towards a compassionate framework for women’s healthcare.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 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

12 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

12 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.