News

Community mental health physiotherapy services to be axed

Published

7 years ago

June 30, 2018

THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD understands that community mental health physiotherapy services in Pembrokeshire are to be withdrawn by Hywel Dda University Health Board, without any form of consultation.

The professionals affected have no guarantee of employment with extremely short notice, we have been told.

It is also understood that affected staff have been asked not to ’cause trouble’.

This stealth cut to what is described by end users as an ‘essential service’ comes just two weeks before the health board’s consultation process on the location of hospitals and A&E services in west Wales comes to a close.

The doomed service provides a physiotherapy and exercise service to any adult with mental health problems who is unable to access mainstream services independently. The multi-skilled team aims to promote wellbeing and independence, and to free up hospital time.

Our reliable source for this story, who has asked not to be identified, told this newspaper: “This is obviously a shocking decision that will have a direct impact on some of the most vulnerable members of our community. I have personal experience with these services, as they helped my late mother lead a full and independent life in her own home.
“There were numerous occasions where various consultants with little experience of mental health issues were recommending she be put into a care home or mental health unit, but it was thanks to the support and intervention of the wonderful mental heath physio team that she was able to carry on living independently, freeing up valuable space for those in greater need.
“Patients with dementia, anxiety issues and other mental health conditions are now going to be left stranded, unable to be access the vital physiotherapy they need to improve their overall physical health and well-being.
“Due to the uncertainty surrounding the continuation of these posts, doctors are already unable to refer people to mental health units from wards to get the treatment they need, and speed their passage home, instead they are taking up valuable bed space.

Our source went on to tell us that this was a “disgraceful decision”, and asked The Herald to “expose the lack of consultation, and highlight that once again they are cutting costs at the expense of patient care.”

The Herald has verified this story with a member of Health Board staff, who has asked to remain unnamed.

The closure of a community based service runs directly directly contrary to the Board’s stated position of strengthening such services set out in its own consultation document.

Hywel Dda University Health Board have been contacted for a comment.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours 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

9 hours 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

10 hours 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.