Jason Evans

Edison Hadaa, 23, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis. Police linked him to a cannabis farm in Carmarthen after members of the public reported a van, which was later stopped on the M50 carrying 38 sacks of cut cannabis plants and 120 pots. The drugs had an estimated potential street value of up to £132,000. Hadaa, who had previously been convicted of a cannabis offence, entered the UK illegally from Albania in 2023 and accepted voluntary deportation after serving his sentence. A third man found in the van will be sentenced later.

Matthew Maynard, a 40-year-old Swansea man with 100 offences across 37 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, threats to damage property and criminal damage. He deliberately drove his partner’s Mercedes into a caravan after becoming angry during a discussion about a holiday. Despite his extensive record and previous prison sentences, Judge Huw Rees suspended a 14-month sentence for 18 months, citing Maynard’s claimed remorse and motivation to address drug misuse. Maynard must complete rehabilitation and drug-treatment programmes, remain subject to probation, and is banned from driving for two years.

Leanne Sheldon admitted falsely reporting that her former partner, David McBride, had robbed and attacked her near Swansea Bus Station. CCTV showed her boarding a bus without encountering him, while automatic number plate recognition indicated his car remained in Lancashire. The false report diverted police resources and caused McBride to come under suspicion. Sheldon, who cited complex mental health needs, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 10 months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete a rehabilitation course.

Omar Ahmed, a failed asylum seeker, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to possessing approximately half a kilogram of cannabis with intent to supply. Police stopped him in Swansea after identifying him as matching a description linked to drug-dealing allegations and found cash, a phone and keys to a Honda Civic containing the drugs. The vehicle was registered to a seemingly fictitious person at a Home Office address. The judge cited Ahmed’s immigration status as an exceptional circumstance justifying immediate custody, while noting that his future release arrangements would be determined by immigration authorities. Ahmed is appealing the refusal of his asylum application.

David Mottershead threatened a security guard at RAF Valley in Anglesey during a phone call about conspiracy theories, biological and chemical weapons, war and an alleged uprising. He then cycled toward the base carrying a knife and an axe and was arrested nearby. A jury found that he made the call and possessed the weapons, but he was deemed unfit to enter a plea. Citing severe and complex psychiatric disorders, including emotionally unstable personality disorder and complex PTSD, Judge Timothy Petts imposed a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act with a Section 41 restriction order. Mottershead is receiving treatment at a private mental health hospital in Rhyl.

Louise Harris was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to ill-treating or wilfully neglecting an 81-year-old woman with dementia and causing criminal damage. While acting as an informal overnight carer in Pontardawe, Harris drank vodka from the woman’s home, shouted abuse and demands for money, caused her physical discomfort, and damaged items while waving a knife. The victim’s daughter alerted a neighbour after hearing the abuse through a home security system. Swansea Crown Court heard that the victim feared she would die and felt the incident had ruined her memories of her family home. Judge Huw Rees described Harris’s conduct as heartless and cruel and said she had abused the family’s trust. An attempted robbery charge was discontinued, and Harris will serve 40% of her sentence in custody before release on licence.

The body of 16-year-old Edith Langford, a live-in maid, was found in Swansea's Tennant Canal on February 3, 1892, after she left relatives to return to her employer's home. Signs of possible violence, reports of cries, and conflicting eyewitness accounts fuelled widespread speculation, but police found no clear evidence of a struggle and an inquest returned a verdict of “found drowned.” A later report implicated a rough-looking stowaway named Jenkins aboard the vessel Orkla, but US authorities apparently did not pass the information to Swansea police, and the case was never solved.

Christopher Eaton was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 32 months in prison after pleading guilty to criminal damage, affray and battery, alongside a conviction for possessing a bladed article. His offences included smashing a McDonald's door, carrying a knife, joining a six-on-one assault on a Hanson clothing-store worker, and repeatedly punching his partner. A passing cycle delivery rider intervened to stop the attack, prompting the judge to recommend a £500 High Sheriff award. Judge Huw Rees condemned Eaton's behaviour and said offenders like him give Swansea an undeserved bad reputation.

A Swansea man was sentenced for attempting sexual communication with individuals he believed were 14-year-old girls, who were in fact adult decoys from paedophile hunter groups. Jason Brooks exchanged explicit messages, sent nude photos, and discussed meeting the supposed teenagers. After his arrest he denied sexual interest in minors and blamed the “girls,” claims rejected by the court. Despite extensive previous convictions, he received a 16‑month prison term suspended for 24 months along with rehabilitation and monitoring requirements, and will remain on the sex offenders register for a decade.

A man accused of attempting to murder his former partner is standing trial at Swansea Crown Court. James McKenna admits inflicting serious knife injuries on Joanne Sidaway but denies intending to kill her. Prosecutors argue he planned the attack, arriving at Carmarthen Park with a large knife and fleeing after stabbing her multiple times. Evidence includes the recovery of a blood‑stained knife with his fingerprints and his later arrest after presenting at a hospital with frostbite. The central issue before the jury is whether he intended to cause serious harm or to kill.

A Network Rail team leader, Drew Beck, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court for stealing more than £11,000 worth of tools and equipment and arranging for them to be sold online. Suspicion arose after a colleague noticed missing items and traced identical stock on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Police searches uncovered evidence linking Beck and co‑defendant Andrew Rutherford to the scheme. Beck, who had hidden his actions and drug use from his family, received an eight‑month suspended sentence with rehabilitation and unpaid work. Rutherford, who cited addiction issues, received a four‑month suspended sentence and programme requirements.

A woman arrested for threatening her sister with a syringe escaped police supervision at Morriston Hospital, prompting a major search involving officers, dogs, drones, and a helicopter. She was found hiding in a ceiling crawl space and later apologised, saying she intended only to retrieve drugs. Georgia Wilshire pleaded guilty to threatening with a bladed article and escaping custody, receiving a 23‑month prison sentence and a two‑year restraining order. The judge highlighted her long‑term drug addiction and lack of progress toward rehabilitation.

A memorial ride-out took place in Gorseinon to honour 18‑year‑old Ceiran Evans, who died after a collision involving a car and an off‑road motorbike. His family released a tribute celebrating his character, while 18‑year‑old Tyler Ford has been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the incident and will stand trial at Swansea Crown Court.

A collision between two quad bikes on Barmouth Beach left one rider seriously injured and airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital. North Wales Police appealed for witnesses, especially those with video footage or who saw the red and green quad bikes travelling together before the crash, and provided a reference number for information.

Floral tributes have been placed outside a Tesco store in Sketty, Swansea, for Big Issue seller Liam Harmer, who died in a house fire in Townhill. Harmer, a familiar and well-liked figure in the community, was remembered with flowers, messages, and a Star Trek-themed tribute. Tom Watts of the Big Issue praised Harmer’s kindness and long-standing relationships with customers. Police stated that the fire was not suspicious.

A van driver impaired by cocaine, benzoylecgonine and Valium drove erratically on the M4 before crashing into a Kia Picanto, injuring the female driver and leaving both vehicles airborne. Joseph Williams later admitted dangerous driving, drug-driving offences and failing to surrender to bail. A judge described his conduct as selfish and the incident as terrifying for the victim. Williams received an 11‑month suspended prison sentence, a rehabilitation requirement, 200 hours of unpaid work, and a three‑year driving ban with an extended retest requirement.

Jurors heard closing speeches, legal directions, and the judge’s summary in the trial of a 15‑year‑old accused of attempting to murder teacher Vicki Williams at Milford Haven School. Prosecution argued the pupil carried out a planned knife attack, while the defence said the injuries resulted from an accidental struggle after he refused to surrender a knife he brought to school to show off. The judge reviewed witness accounts, forensic evidence, and the defendant’s testimony, noting key issues for the jury, including intent and credibility. Deliberations are set to begin after the weekend.

A Carmarthen man, Marius Alisaukas, received a 29‑month prison sentence for four breaches of a restraining order protecting his former partner. The court heard he sent threatening Snapchat and Facebook messages to his ex and her new partner, including death threats and a warning that he had “a plan” for her. The judge cited the repetitive and menacing nature of the offences, the significant impact on the victim, and the absence of genuine remorse in determining an immediate custodial sentence. He will serve 40 percent of the term before release on licence, and the restraining order remains in force.

A teenage defendant on trial for attempting to murder teacher Vicki Williams insisted during cross‑examination that he did not stab her and claimed she lied about being attacked. Prosecutors argued he brought a knife to school intending to kill, while the defence said he had shown the weapon off to friends and the teacher was injured during a brief struggle after she tried to take it from him. The defendant maintained he panicked and fled, denied planning an attack, and said he had given “no comment” interviews because he could not remember events. The court also heard prior testimony from Williams describing the violence of the encounter. The trial is set to resume on Friday.

Court proceedings detail a teenage defendant repeatedly denying accusations that he intentionally stabbed his history teacher, Vicki Williams, during an incident at Milford Haven School. Prosecutors argue the boy carried out a planned attack with a kitchen knife, while the defence claims the injuries were accidental during a struggle after he brought the knife to school to impress friends. Testimony included disputes over CCTV evidence, the defendant’s memory lapses, and forensic analysis supporting the teacher’s account, with the trial set to continue with legal directions and closing arguments.

Police in Swansea arrested Zubair Mehdi while he was driving disqualified and carrying multiple bags of cocaine, cash and phones. A subsequent home search uncovered additional quantities of cocaine valued up to £5,500, and messages on his phone indicated drug supply activity involving large sums of money. Already on licence for previous Class A drug convictions, he admitted the offences and was sentenced to six years in prison, of which he will serve 40 percent before release on licence.

A teenage boy on trial at Swansea Crown Court denies attempting to murder history teacher Vicki Williams at Milford Haven School, admitting only possessing a knife on school grounds. Prosecutors claim he launched a planned attack, while the defence argues the injuries occurred accidentally during a struggle after the teacher saw the knife and tried to take it. The defendant said he brought the knife to school to show off to friends and never intended to harm the teacher. Evidence heard included testimony from colleagues who responded to the teacher’s screams and previous statements from the victim describing fear for her life.

Evidence provided in court describes a 16‑year‑old defendant denying any intention to harm teacher Vicki Williams after taking a large kitchen knife to school. CCTV footage and detailed questioning outline his movements, his claim that he brought the knife to show friends, and his account of a struggle in which the teacher grabbed the blade. Expert testimony supports the nature of the injuries but cannot rule out they occurred during a scuffle. The defendant denies attempted murder and related charges, and the trial continues.

A man with a long record of violence against partners was sentenced to 15 months in prison after threatening to kill his ex-partner and her children during an incident in Neath. The case marked his fourth domestic incident in six years and his third different victim, with previous convictions including battery, harassment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The sentencing judge highlighted the defendant’s persistent pattern of abuse and personal immaturity. He will serve 40% of the sentence in custody before release on licence.

A 16-year-old boy is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of attempting to murder teacher Vicki Williams in a February incident at Milford Haven School. Evidence presented includes the knife allegedly used, witness statements from paramedics and police, and expert testimony describing the teacher’s injuries as consistent with defensive wounds. The prosecution argues the attack was premeditated, while the defence claims the injuries were accidental during a struggle over the knife. The defendant denies all charges except possessing a knife on school premises. The trial continues.

Court proceedings detailed the grandmother’s account of her grandson arriving at her home distressed shortly after the stabbing of history teacher Vicki Williams at Milford Haven School. Prosecutors allege the boy deliberately carried out a planned knife attack, while the defence argues the injuries occurred accidentally during a struggle over the weapon. Police arrested the boy minutes after he reached his grandmother’s home, and the trial at Swansea Crown Court continues.

An 18-year-old from Swansea received a two-year driving ban and a 12‑month community order after police aircraft tracked him riding a high-powered E‑bike dangerously through pedestrian areas, over a footbridge, and against oncoming traffic in the SA1 area. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no insurance, and driving without a licence. Police welcomed the sentence, citing risks posed to pedestrians and motorists.

Damien Jones was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to a 23-year special sentence as an offender of particular concern after being convicted of 16 child sexual offences committed between 2013 and 2021. The sentence includes 22 years in custody and a one-year licence period, with potential release after two‑thirds subject to Parole Board approval. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order. Dyfed-Powys Police commended the victim’s bravery and highlighted the danger Jones poses and the professionalism of the investigating team.

A teacher who was stabbed in the head by a pupil at Milford Haven School gave evidence in the student’s trial at Swansea Crown Court, describing how the attacker approached from behind before a struggle in which she was injured. The prosecution argues the 15-year-old launched a deliberate attempted murder with a knife brought from home, while the defence claims the injuries were accidental during a dispute over the weapon. Jurors were shown images of the classroom and the teacher’s injuries as cross-examination began.

A 72-year-old former refinery worker and taxi firm owner, Robert Thomas, received a suspended 22-month prison sentence after admitting possession of cocaine with intent to supply. Police intercepted him in Neath, finding 123g of cocaine after he was offered £300 to transport a package he knew contained drugs. His lawyer argued he was exploited due to vulnerability and financial need, while the court noted previous drug-related convictions. Thomas was ordered to complete a rehabilitation programme.