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Council leader will be elected ​​ biennially

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sized_39916601THE LEADER of Pembrokeshire County Council will be elected biennially, despite a bid to have the leader elected for a full term of Council.

At Thursday’s (Jul 7) Extraordinary Council meeting, Councillors discussed the constitution of the Council and a number of issues that were still outstanding.

Councillor Jacob Williams had called for the leader to be elected  annually, saying it would improve accountability, but his amendment was defeated.

Deputy Leader, Councillor Keith Lewis, felt that due to the amount of work the leader undertook, the leader should be in office for a full term of Council.

However, his amendment was also defeated and the leader will still be elected biennially, as agreed by the Constitutional Issues Working Group.

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “This isn’t a process of challenge for challenge sake every year. If the leader incumbent is the only one put forward for nomination then of course there will be no contest  – it’s just so there is a regular interval for the leadership of the Council.

“Two years ago, we had some arguments stating that continuity is key. Well, I say that you should have to earn continuity by having the support of your council.

“I think it would improve accountability because the leader isn’t voted for by the public and it will only take place at the AGM for an incumbent if he or she is challenged.”

Councillor David Lloyd seconded Cllr Williams, stating: “The argument behind it is purely one of openness and confidence. The leader has nothing to fear, as I’ve said before, and I think it adds a spirit of engagement with the workings of this authority and the leader should accept that.”

Cllr Keith Lewis said there needs to be a reasonable period for which a leader is elected, adding that there was a significant amount of work that the leader carries out.

He also moved an amendment that the leader should be in post throughout the full term of the Council.

Councillor Mike Stoddart said he supported an annual election, while Councillor Bob Kilmister said having the possibility of an election strengthened the leader’s position.

When it was put to a recorded vote, 18 councillors voted in favour of an annual election,  but 28 voted against.

Speaking on Cllr Lewis’ amendment, Cllr Jacob Williams said: “The status quo from the Constitutional Issues Working Group was once every two years that the leader would be elected at the AGM, so Cllr Lewis’ suggestion would be an even more retrograde step.”

Cllr Lewis’ amendment for a termly election was then defeated, with 20 voting in favour but 24 voting against.

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Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

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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.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

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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.

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Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

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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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