Teenager, 14, came within inches of death when speeding motor boat hit his kayak near Burton, court told

A COURT has heard how a 14-year-old schoolboy came within inches of losing his life on the River Cleddau after his kayak was struck by a high-powered, dual-propelled motor boat being helmed by haven master Adam Russell.

CCTV footage played to Judge Geraint Walters, sitting at Swansea Crown Court, showed Russell steering the 5-litre motor boat, White Mischief, into the schoolboy’s kayak near Rudders Boat Yard in Burton.

The court heard Russell ignored warning calls from two other river users who alerted him to approaching kayaks, and continued at exceptionally high speed while remaining seated at the helm. He had six passengers on board, including children.

Because of the speed, Russell failed to see the young kayaker and struck his vessel.

“When I saw him heading towards me, I knew I was going to be in trouble,” the teenager said in a victim impact statement read to the court.

“I could see the boat getting closer and closer, and I had no idea what was going to happen. I couldn’t get out of the way… no matter what I did, the boat kept coming towards me. I felt helpless and I knew I was going to be hit.”

Prosecuting on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Nick Cotter KC said the boy had been enjoying a day on the river with two school friends and two of their fathers. The court heard each kayaker was wearing a bright red buoyancy aid and was clearly visible, with excellent weather conditions that afternoon.

As the group paddled downstream through a designated water skiing area of the River Cleddau, they encountered Russell and White Mischief.

“Witnesses said he was travelling far too fast,” Mr Cotter said.

“The young boy tried his best to paddle out of the way but then the White Mischief changed direction and began heading directly towards him. When it hit the kayak, the boy was thrown into the water and the White Mischief passed directly over him.

“To say that the child was lucky is an understatement.”

Mr Cotter told the court that, following the incident on August 11, 2024, the teenager has been unable to return to the river despite being a keen open-water surfer and sportsman.

“My confidence and ability to go kayaking again has changed,” the child said in his impact statement.

“I get flashbacks about the sound of the running engine, and whenever my dad or my friends suggest going out kayaking, I never want to go because I don’t want that to happen to me, or to anyone else, ever again.”

After the collision, the boy was taken by ambulance to West Wales General Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. His kayak sustained significant damage and was left unusable.

Russell, who has been employed as haven master at Neyland Yacht Haven for the past eight years, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to another person while in charge of a boat, contravening Merchant Shipping Regulations relating to preventing collisions at sea, failing to adhere to a safe speed and failing to act on a clear risk of collision.

He was represented by barrister Jon Tarrant KC.

“From the outset the defendant has accepted full responsibility and understands that the boy was only inches away from a very tragic situation,” Mr Tarrant said.

He told the court that in Russell’s eight years in the maritime industry there had been no issues concerning his behaviour, either onshore or offshore. A number of character references were submitted to Judge Walters prior to sentence.

Russell was sentenced to 12 months in custody, suspended for two years. He was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the victim, £675.95 compensation for the damage to the kayak and £3,000 in prosecution costs.

He must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

“The boy desperately tried to avoid you, but you failed to see him,” Judge Walters said when passing sentence.

“You travelled directly over him, causing him to be thrown into the water and the result of the injuries could have been so much worse. It’s pure luck that they weren’t.

“Just like our roads, the seas and the rivers are not playgrounds. We must all recognise the risks they present to others.”

WELSH NHS Confederation says planned care is improving but calls for prevention, sustainable social care funding and investment in estates and equipment

NHS leaders in Wales have welcomed major progress in cutting waiting lists, including what they said was a record monthly reduction, but warned improvements could stall without longer term reform and investment.

New data for November show there were just under 757,900 referral to treatment patient pathways waiting to start treatment, a fall of around 23,400 compared with October and about 44,000 fewer than the same time last year.

The figures also show just over 38,100 pathways waiting longer than one year for a first outpatient appointment, down on the previous month and 62.9% lower than the peak in August 2022. It is the lowest figure since October 2020.

For the longest waits, the number of pathways waiting more than two years fell to just under 6,900, down 90.2% from the peak, a month on month reduction of 450, and 17,500 fewer than the same month last year.

The update also included emergency care activity, with just under 87,700 attendances recorded across all emergency departments in December, an average of 2,828 per day. That was 159 fewer attendances per day than the previous month and similar to last December.

Responding to the activity and performance statistics for November and December, Nesta Lloyd-Jones, assistant director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said it was very positive to see progress across planned care in Wales.

She said November saw the biggest monthly waiting list reduction on record, with December expected to show further cuts, and added that while not every performance area improved month to month, many measures were ahead of where they were a year ago.

Ms Lloyd-Jones also pointed to improvements in ambulance handover delays over the last year, which she said reflected a focus by the NHS and local authorities on improving patient flow, leading to faster care and better outcomes for patients.

However, she warned the NHS could not rely on unplanned targeted funding alone and said a wider shift was needed, including a stronger focus on prevention, a sustainable plan for social care and a rethink on capital investment, to ensure progress is maintained.

Mandatory carcass grading and price reporting will be required in slaughterhouses from Wednesday, January 28

WELSH sheep farmers are set to see new rules introduced next week aimed at making the lamb market fairer and more transparent.

From Wednesday (Jan 28), slaughterhouses in Wales will be required to classify sheep carcasses and report prices using a standardised system. The Welsh Government says the move will improve consistency in grading, make price information easier to compare, and help build confidence for farmers selling stock.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced the change during the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Farmhouse Breakfast event at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff.

He said the measures would support the industry by ensuring a consistent methodology for classifying carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness and productivity within the sheep market.

“Our iconic Welsh lamb is celebrated around the world for its outstanding quality and high production standards,” he said. “These measures will implement a consistent methodology for classifying sheep carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness, and increased productivity within the sheep market.”

The regulations bring the sheep sector into line with rules already used for beef and pork.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales chief executive José Peralta said the changes would allow for greater data capture and analysis and improve transparency within the supply chain.

He said: “The new regulations, which now align with a similar position for cattle and pigs, will allow for greater data capture and analysis to be undertaken and support increased transparency within the sector. As a sector we must seek all opportunities for greater transparency within the supply chain to ensure that choices can be made from an informed position.”

The Welsh Government says the new approach is part of a wider UK framework, with similar arrangements already operating elsewhere.

During his address, the Deputy First Minister also pointed to further changes expected in 2026, including the planned introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which the Welsh Government describes as a new partnership between the people of Wales and farmers.

The scheme is intended to support the sustainable production of food while also responding to the climate and nature emergency.

The Welsh Government has also confirmed its commitment to financial support during the transition, with up to £238 million committed to the Universal layer and the legacy Basic Payment Scheme in 2026.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “I would like to reiterate the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting Welsh family farms, not just in the short term but also in the long run. Our goal is to prioritise stability for the farming industry, ensuring to balance this with sustainability at its very core.”

He added that supporting farmers through the change would be a priority, with consistent advice and support offered across the sector.

Building fairness within the agricultural supply chain remains a key Welsh Government priority, which it says is also integral to food security.