News

Asda’s reprieve for local charities

Published

10 years ago

May 6, 2016

LOCAL Charity organisers have reacted with outrage to the immediate end of charity collections at Asda Pembroke Dock.

On Thursday, April 20, The Herald understands that local charities and schools were rung by a distraught member of Asda’s staff at the town’s store, who told them that all collections were being abandoned with immediate effect. We understand that the decision was communicated without notice to the store’s Community Life Champion.

Asda has reportedly withdrawn its Community Life Initiative from its Pembroke Dock store. The nearest alternative is Llanelli. Lyn Neville of Pembrokeshire Cancer Support and the Elly’s Flag Appeal, had store collections booked for Saturday, April 23, and May 6.

Lyn Neville pointed out the serious effect on fundraising for small charities: “Like other small charities and good causes, we depend on the generosity of retailers for collections like this. Pembroke Dock and the surrounding area has deprived area status within Wales, the effect of withdrawing this support will be appalling.”

In a letter sent to Asda Chief Executive Andy Clarke, Lyn requests the reinstatement of the collections, and failing that the honouring of bookings already made.

Lyn writes: ‘It is interesting that the person / people who made this decision are not the ones who have the job of ringing around to let people down. I know that Becky Jones, your “former” Community Life Champion in Pembroke Dock is very upset. She was upset when she rang my wife to cancel Saturday’s collection for Elly’s Flag.

‘Please, Mr Clarke, have a heart and reconsider the effect this will have on an area which is already suffering, and consider the impact on local good causes. We are trying to help people but need the support of organisations like yours’.

The Herald contacted Asda in Pembroke Dock for a comment, however we were told that they had been instructed not to comment and to refer all inquiries to Asda Head Office in Leeds.

An Asda spokesperson subsequently told The Herald: “We are fully committed to supporting the local community in Pembroke Dock and have reached out to Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal and to Pembrokeshire Cancer Support, to reassure them that their collections on 23 April and 6 May can go ahead as agreed.

“We are terribly sorry for any upset and inconvenience this matter has caused, and as a gesture of goodwill Asda will donate an extra 50% on top of any funds raised in store.

“As a result of this situation, we will be taking a fresh look at the best way we can continue to support the local community in Pembroke Dock.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

22 minutes 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

44 minutes 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

50 minutes 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.