Press Association

Fans gathered in Swansea and Mumbles to pay tribute to Bonnie Tyler, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, following her death at 75. Her coffin, decorated with musical symbols and later draped in a Welsh flag, was carried into Swansea Minster as crowds applauded, shouted goodbye and sang her hit songs. Relatives, fans and talent scout Roger Bell remembered Tyler as a warm, funny and down-to-earth performer who remained connected to her Swansea roots. Donations requested by her family will support Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru, charities she supported as a patron.

Eight men aged 54 to 76 appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court over 40 alleged historical child sexual exploitation offences linked to reports of abuse between 1985 and 1996. The defendants confirmed their identities but were not required to enter pleas. They were released on conditional bail and are due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on August 21. A ninth man, Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, was separately charged with rape as part of the investigation.

A 16-year-old boy on trial at Swansea Crown Court denied deliberately stabbing teacher Vicki Williams at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, claiming the injury was accidental during a struggle over a knife he had brought to school. Prosecutor Christopher Rees challenged inconsistencies in his account, including his decision to flee the school, his lack of explanation to police, and his assertion that his memory returned weeks later. The boy insisted he did not intend harm, denied attempting to kill the teacher, and said he was shocked and remorseful. Mrs Williams sustained a scalp wound and minor injuries. The defendant denies attempted murder, unlawful wounding, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm as the trial continues.

Andrew Gorrell was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years for killing 82-year-old John Edwards after setting multiple wheelie bin fires in Wednesbury, one of which engulfed the victim’s home and injured several family members. The court highlighted Gorrell’s long history of alcohol abuse and previous arson conviction, as well as his lack of remorse and unexplained motive. Additional convictions for causing grievous bodily harm and arson with intent resulted in concurrent sentences of up to 12 years. The judge described the attack as random and devastating for the family.

An inquest found that former Commonwealth Games weightlifting champion Kum Weng Chung died from positional asphyxia after falling and becoming trapped among hoarded possessions in his Cardiff home. The 90‑year‑old, originally from Malaysia, had long‑standing mental‑health and hoarding issues and lived alone. The coroner confirmed no suspicious circumstances. Tributes from British Weightlifting and related organisations highlighted his achievements and legacy.