News
Gateway station facelift finally secured
PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has welcomed plans announced this week that will see a much needed improvement in the Welsh rail network to the benefit of local rail users.
As part of the investment, Welsh Transport Minister, Edwina Hart AM, announced that Port Talbot Parkway will receive over £11.3m of funding to carry out essential redevelopment. In addition to improved station access, customers will enjoy a modernised ticket office and car park expansion. Stephen has been contacted by key local business people in the county about the condition of station facilities, following feedback from investors about their experience of travelling to Pembrokeshire.
Commenting on the investment, Stephen said:
“I was extremely pleased to see the Welsh Government taking the long overdue action to improve part of Wales’ rail network. Port Talbot is an important gateway station to West Wales, which is used by business investors and tourists – who are often required to complete their journey from Port Talbot to Pembrokeshire by car, taxi or bus.
He added: “We are a forward-looking country and we want potential investors to be confident about doing business in Wales. Gateway stations such as Port Talbot are currently poor adverts for inward investment in Wales. Today’s announcement will mean these railway stations will finally get the facelift they need.”
This news is especially welcome at a time when rail operators have finally decided to get to grips with the problem of human waste being dumped from train carriages onto railway lines across Wales.
Stephen has also made representations to Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail about hygiene levels at train stations across West Wales. He pressed David Higgins, Chief Executive of Network Rail for more action to tackle this problem. Following these representations, Network Rail has now taken the decision to include more intensive cleaning methods as part of their cleaning regime.
Stephen added: “This issue has been raised with me by a number of constituents. In 2013, it is unacceptable for passengers standing at platforms to see detritus being dumped along the track. This does nothing for instilling a positive impression of Wales as a modern, welcoming place to visit and do business.”
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
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
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
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.
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