Crime

Whistleblower claims HMP Parc officer said Zack Griffiths would be ‘killed’ if sent there

Published

5 months ago

July 23, 2025

A WHISTLEBLOWER has alleged that a senior officer at HMP Parc made violent threats against prison reform campaigner Zack Griffiths during a formal job interview.

The comments, which included claims that officers “up and down the country” were “ready to kill” Mr Griffiths, were allegedly made in May during an interview for the role of prison officer. The whistleblower, Kirsten Myles, says the officer also falsely claimed that Mr Griffiths was a registered sex offender.

According to the testimony, when challenged by another staff member, the officer doubled down on the remarks and responded with “visible hostility,” reportedly saying: “F* no**,” when asked if Mr Griffiths was currently housed at Parc.

Ms Myles shared the statement publicly via a redacted document and a post in the HMP Prisons Justice Group, a Facebook group with over 6,000 members. She claimed she withdrew from the application process as a result of what she witnessed, stating: “I cannot, in good conscience, work within a system where such behaviour is displayed without accountability.”

Zack Griffiths held at HMP Swansea

Zack Griffiths, 35, is a former inmate at HMP Parc who has since become a prominent campaigner for prison reform. He is currently in custody at HMP Swansea following his recall to prison earlier this year.

He previously served a sentence after sharing a video from inside Parc Prison, which showed a violent restraint involving a staff member. In April, he was arrested again while attending Cardiff Crown Court. Charges of malicious communications have since been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, but one charge relating to the unauthorised prison footage remains active.

Griffiths founded the HMP Prisons Justice Group and has led protests outside Parc highlighting concerns over inmate deaths, drug abuse, and alleged staff misconduct.

***Parc Prison, Bridgend (Pic: Herald)***

Prison responds: Claims ‘unsubstantiated’

HMP Parc has issued a formal response denying the whistleblower’s claims. In a brief statement to The Herald, a prison spokesperson said: “Ms Myles’ claims have been thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated.”

G4S also say that Ms Myles was not withdrawn from the recruitment process as she claimed.

G4S added: “Ms Myles was unsuccessful in her application and did not withdraw from the process voluntarily. This decision was made prior to her raising concerns.”

Growing scrutiny at HMP Parc

***Prison officers prepare to enter a cell during a training exercise.***

HMP Parc, operated by private security firm G4S, has been subject to growing scrutiny over the past year. At least 25 inmates are believed to have died in the prison since 2023. Several staff are under investigation or have been arrested in connection with ongoing misconduct allegations.

The Herald understands that formal complaints have been lodged regarding the comments alleged in the leaked statement. Ms Myles’ post online has drawn significant attention and reignited debate about the culture and accountability of privately run prisons.

Campaigners express concern

Tom Blewitt of UK Prisons for Justice told The Herald: “We are deeply concerned after hearing the remarks senior officers at HMP Parc have made regarding Zack.

“These comments show a total lack of regard for his welfare.

“As a group, we are worried for his safety and hearing this only intensifies that concern.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

7 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

8 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

8 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.