News

Thousands join London march marking two years since Gaza war

Published

5 months ago

October 11, 2025

TENS of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters gathered in central London today (Oct 11) to mark two years since the war in Gaza began — just one day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect.

Among the crowds on Victoria Embankment were demonstrators from across Wales, including several from Pembrokeshire who travelled up by car and train early this morning to join the march, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).

The march, which began along the Embankment, saw people carrying banners reading “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “It’s not a crime to act against genocide”. Stalls sold keffiyehs and flags as participants made their way toward Whitehall for a rally outside government buildings.

Police presence and counter-protest

A counter-protest group, Stop The Hate, gathered nearby at Aldwych. Officers imposed restrictions under the Public Order Act to prevent clashes, setting fixed routes and areas for both sides. Police were seen removing individuals carrying pro-Israel placards from the main march, prompting chants of “shame” and “free Palestine” from the crowd.

Scotland Yard confirmed conditions were in place “to prevent serious disruption,” while also stressing that both protests were permitted to go ahead peacefully.

32nd national demonstration

According to the PSC, this was the 32nd national protest held in support of Palestine since October 2023. The group’s director, Ben Jamal, said campaigners would “never stop” supporting Palestinians to “achieve a free Palestine.”

“This movement is supported by millions of people in this country and around the world who want freedom and justice for Palestine,” he said. “We know Israel has broken ceasefires before, and this latest pause does nothing to tackle the root causes of occupation and apartheid.”

Government concerns

The UK Government has warned that repeated large-scale demonstrations have caused “considerable fear” for Britain’s Jewish community. New powers are being considered to allow police to limit protests based on their “cumulative impact.”

Calls for restraint followed a terror attack at a Manchester synagogue earlier this month in which two people were killed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged protesters to “respect the grief of British Jews.”

The slogan “From the river to the sea” – chanted by many at today’s march – remains controversial, with some interpreting it as a call for the destruction of Israel. Protesters say it is a demand for freedom and equality across all of historic Palestine.

Ceasefire takes effect

The Israeli military confirmed on Friday that a ceasefire came into force at noon local time (10:00am BST), following Hamas’s agreement to release remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

It marks a pause in a conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions across Gaza and southern Israel since October 2023.

As one Pembrokeshire demonstrator told The Herald before boarding the early morning train: “We wanted to be here to show that people in West Wales care about what’s happening — peace and justice should matter to all of us.”

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

6 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

7 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.