Crime

Jury sworn as judge considers whether Tenby baby death trial can proceed

Published

1 month ago

January 6, 2026

A JURY has been sworn at Swansea Crown Court in the trial of a man accused of causing the death of a baby in a Tenby car park, as the defence immediately applied for the case to be stopped on the basis that there is no case to answer.

The defendant, Flaviu Naghi, 34, formerly of Leigh and now of Luton, faces a two-count indictment following an incident on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at a multi-storey car park on Upper Park Road, Tenby.

Count one alleges causing death by dangerous driving.
Count two alleges causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drugs.

The charges relate to the death of six-month-old Sophia Kelemen.

It is alleged that at the time of the incident, Naghi had in his body a specified controlled drug — benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine — at a concentration of 236 micrograms per litre of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 50 micrograms.

Naghi has pleaded not guilty to both counts.

Jury sworn in

On Tuesday (Jan 6), jurors were sworn and addressed by Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards, who explained their responsibilities and warned them not to carry out any private research or discuss the case outside the jury room.

They were told that verdicts must be based solely on evidence heard in court and that any breach of those rules could amount to a criminal offence.

After the jury was sent out, the court heard legal submissions in their absence.

Defence: no case to answer

Defence counsel John Hipkin KC made a formal submission of no case to answer, arguing that there is insufficient evidence that Naghi was “driving” the vehicle within the meaning of the law.

The court was told that the defence position is that Naghi’s only interaction with the vehicle was turning the ignition key after being handed the keys in order to warm the car.

It was submitted that:

Naghi had no intention of moving the vehicle.
He did not release the handbrake.
Physical testing and expert analysis of CCTV do not support any suggestion that he did.
He was outside the vehicle when it began to move.
He was unable to reach the foot brake or handbrake.

Defence counsel told the court that the incident unfolded “in the blink of an eye”, and that Naghi tried unsuccessfully to stop the vehicle but was physically unable to do so.

It was argued that starting an engine cannot, of itself, amount to driving, and that a failure to gain control of a moving vehicle cannot be treated as driving in law.

Reference was made to a written ruling given by the judge the previous day, in which she stated that directions could not be given to a jury on the basis that a person who fails to gain control of a vehicle can therefore be said to be driving it.

Prosecution: actions form a “continuum”

Prosecuting counsel Tom Crowther KC responded that Naghi’s actions must be considered as a whole, forming a continuous course of conduct.

The Crown submitted that:

Naghi used a driver’s control — namely the ignition.
The vehicle moved forward under engine power as a direct result of his actions.
His conduct should be viewed from the moment he turned the key to the moment of collision.

While accepting that starting the engine alone would not necessarily amount to driving, the prosecution argued that in the circumstances of this case the actions were indivisible and amounted to driving.

Judge reserves ruling

Judge Richards said she would not rule on the submission that afternoon, describing it as a significant issue of law requiring careful consideration.

She noted that depending on her decision, the prosecution may need time to consider its position.

The jury was dismissed until Thursday, when the judge said she would deliver her ruling.

The trial remains ongoing.

(Cover image: PA)

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

12 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

18 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

18 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.