Crime

Victim in Manchester synagogue attack killed by police gunfire

Published

2 months ago

October 3, 2025

POLICE have confirmed that one of the victims killed during the Yom Kippur attack at Heaton Park Synagogue died after being struck by gunfire from armed officers.

Greater Manchester Police said the incident happened as officers attempted to stop 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, who drove a car at worshippers before launching a knife attack. Two Jewish men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, were killed. A further three people remain in hospital, one with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: “The suspect was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were by our officers as they worked to prevent further loss of life. The gunshot injuries may tragically have been sustained as an unforeseen consequence of that action.”

Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead at the scene. His family said they were in “deep shock and sorrow”, condemning the “heinous act” and distancing themselves from his actions. Three other people have been arrested in connection with the attack, which is being treated as terrorism.

National response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Greater Manchester Police headquarters on Friday (Oct 3), thanking first responders for their “professionalism of the highest order”. He pledged to ensure the Jewish community remained “safe and secure”.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has declared the attack a “major incident” and said victims will receive support from an Independent Public Advocate. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the wake of the attack as “un-British”.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the killings were the “tragic result of an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred”, while the newly named Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, urged communities to stand together against racism.

Security concerns

The Community Security Trust (CST), which protects Jewish institutions, confirmed one of its personnel was seriously injured while helping to prevent the attacker entering the synagogue.

Jewish families across Manchester described a “real sense of vulnerability”, with some questioning their future in the city. Tributes and flowers have been left outside the synagogue.

Greater Manchester Police continue to investigate, with post mortems expected to confirm the causes of death.

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

10 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

10 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.

Crime

Motorcyclist to return to court over Dinas Cross crash that seriously injured woman

Published

10 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Case adjourned after part-heard trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court

A MAN accused of causing serious injury to a woman by careless driving on the A487 at Dinas Cross will return to court next month after his trial was adjourned part-heard.

Aleksandrs Lohins, 61, of Mayfield Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, is charged with causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act. The allegation relates to a collision on April 9, 2023, in which motorcyclist Anna Titorchuk suffered serious injuries.

Lohins is alleged to have been riding a Honda GL-1800 motorcycle, registration WJ05 MDE, without due care and attention when the incident occurred.

The trial began at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17), with a bench comprising Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. Lohins was represented by defence solicitor Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

After hearing evidence, magistrates adjourned the case part-heard.

Lohins remains on unconditional bail.

The matter will resume at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 8, 2025, at 11:00am, in Courtroom 1. The hearing is listed for an estimated 20 minutes, and the defendant must attend.