News
Steep drop in dairy farming
ON THE EVE of a key debate in the House of Commons on dairy farming, the Liberal Democrats led by Alistair Cameron have released figures that show that the number of dairy farms has dropped by 7% in Carmarthenshire and 6% in Pembrokeshire over the past four years.
This follows a decline of 37% in the number of farms in the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire between September 2002 and May 2012.
The figures were produced by the independent and well respected House of Commons Library at the request of Mark Williams MP for Ceredigion and show that nationally dairy farming has fallen by 5,500 farms in the last decade.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) said many dairy farmers are at the end of their tether, operating at a loss and unable to receive any more finance from banks.
Alistair Cameron said: “The growing crisis in Wales’ farms is becoming a danger to rural Wales. Many farms are the biggest businesses in our communities and when they struggle, the village does too.
“We need the Government to stop saying the right things and start doing the right things.
“There are things the government could do to support the sector but is choosing not to. I want to see them giving the regulator teeth, supporting UK farmers in their talks with big manufacturers and seeing what more can be done on public sector contracts.”
Mark Williams MP added: “The past decade has been incredibly difficult for our agriculture industry, and especially our dairy sector. Since 2005, we have seen over 5,500 dairy farms in Britain close, often due to the heavy burden of debt. This is a devastating figure.
“Rural Britain relies on the success of our farmers, yet they face an increasingly volatile world market. Government must therefore play a role in supporting farmers in the short to medium term, and provide the right conditions for them to thrive in the long term.
“There needs to be action from the Government to ensure fairness in the supply chain, to improve the marketing and export potential of dairy, and to ensure that dairy farmers can collaborate to have a strong voice when negotiating. Without this, there is real concern that dairy farms could continue to close, which would have a terrible impact on rural Britain.”
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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