News
Cockpit fire caused EgyptAir crash that killed west Wales father, inquest hears
Coroner raises serious safety concerns following MS804 tragedy
FLAMES fuelled by an oxygen leak “took hold” of an aircraft cockpit and caused an “uncontrollable” crash, an inquest has heard into the death of Welsh geologist Richard Osman.
Mr Osman, 40, originally from Carmarthen, was among the 66 people killed when EgyptAir flight MS804 plunged into the Mediterranean on 18 May 2016. The Airbus A320 had been travelling from Paris to Cairo when it disappeared from radar.
The inquest at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Osman had been on a business trip at the time of the crash. Assistant Coroner Mark Layton concluded that the father-of-two died from injuries sustained in the fire and crash, which were likely caused by an ignition source linked to the first officer’s oxygen supply system.
The blaze rapidly engulfed the cockpit, making the situation irrecoverable.
Mr Layton issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, citing concerns over cockpit fires, smoke procedures, and the adequacy of fire extinguishers on board. He urged aviation authorities to review safety protocols and consider banning smoking materials and other flammable items from flight decks.
The report has been submitted to the European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK Department for Transport.
Of the 66 people on board, there were 59 passengers, two flight crew and five cabin crew. There were no survivors.
Mr Osman had been living and working in Jersey at the time of his death with his wife, Aurelie Vandeputte, and their two young daughters. Paying tribute at the inquest, Ms Vandeputte described him as “a charismatic yet humble young man” who was passionate about rugby and proud of his Welsh-Egyptian heritage.
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
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
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
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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