Crime

Former Haverfordwest pupil brought hammer onto hospital ward before killings

Published

2 months ago

May 12, 2026

A FORMER Haverfordwest pupil who later killed three people in Nottingham brought a hammer onto a hospital ward two years before the attacks, an inquiry has heard.

Valdo Calocane is understood to have lived in Haverfordwest and attended Sir Thomas Picton School before going on to study at the University of Nottingham.

The public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks was told on Monday (May 11) that Calocane returned from leave to the Priory Hospital in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, with a hammer in his rucksack.

The West Wales link has previously emerged through a former housemate, who knew Calocane while he was in Pembrokeshire. She later contacted Nottinghamshire Police after the killings and said she believed he had a history of mental illness dating back to 2013.

She also said she believed he had worked as a cleaner at Pembrokeshire College.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Ajith Gurusinghe told the inquiry that Calocane claimed he had the hammer because he was moving into a new property and needed to hang items.

Counsel to the inquiry, Craig Carr, suggested the explanation was “completely implausible” because Calocane did not have a new home to move into.

Dr Gurusinghe said staff were sceptical and believed Calocane may still have been paranoid. He accepted the incident should have been recorded and included in Calocane’s risk assessment.

He said: “It’s been missed. I admit it’s been missed.”

Charge nurse Helen Foster also gave evidence, agreeing that the hammer was “clearly a potential weapon” and that the incident was serious. However, she said she could not remember how staff followed it up.

Calocane, who had earlier links to Haverfordwest before moving to Nottingham, went on to kill students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, on June 13, 2023.

He then used Mr Coates’ stolen van to try to kill three pedestrians in Nottingham city centre.

The inquiry is examining the decisions made by mental health services before the attacks.

A Care Quality Commission inspection of the Priory Hospital in December 2021 later rated it “inadequate” overall and raised concerns about patient safety.

Crime

Former Swansea Prison inmate died 48 hours after release

Published

9 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FORMER Swansea Prison inmate died from combined drug toxicity just 48 hours after being released, an official investigation has found.

Jason Maynard, 43, left HMP Swansea on May 23, 2024. Two days later, he was pronounced dead by paramedics after being found unresponsive in the back of a friend’s car.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report says Mr Maynard had been given overdose-reversal medication before leaving custody and warned about the heightened risk of overdose after a period of reduced drug tolerance.

After his release, he attended his first probation appointment and was placed in temporary hotel accommodation by Swansea Council.

The following day, police were called after concerns were raised that Mr Maynard had a cut above his eye and appeared incoherent. He refused hospital treatment and was taken to his mother’s home.

The report says he later used drugs and drank alcohol with friends. He then fell asleep in a car outside an address, where he was later found unresponsive.

Mr Maynard had missed a substance misuse appointment on May 24 but attended the service the next day. Staff noted he had “blue around his mouth”, which caused concern about possible drug use.

The Ombudsman found that prison, probation and support services had taken appropriate steps before and after his release.

Its findings said Mr Maynard had received suitable substance misuse support, had been referred for accommodation, and had licence conditions in place covering drug and alcohol use, engagement with services and drug testing.

The report concluded that the necessary referrals and support arrangements had been made, but Mr Maynard died later the same day he attended the community substance misuse service.

Crime

Police appeal after reported rape at Young Farmers rally

Published

2 days ago

June 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an allegation of rape at a Young Farmers Club rally in Builth Wells.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident was reported to have taken place at Wernhalog Farm on Saturday, June 13.

Officers said it happened in the portaloo area sometime between 11:00pm and 11:45pm.

Anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information which could help the investigation, is asked to contact police.

Reports can be made online through the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the Crimestoppers website.

Quote reference: 26*472649.

Crime

Dock woman given mental health treatment order after supermarket thefts

Published

2 days ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been placed on a mental health treatment requirement after repeatedly stealing meat, cheese and other grocery items from local supermarkets.

Lisa Stewart, 45, admitted three theft offences when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

The first offence took place on March 11, when Stewart stole Vanish, Lenor and three packs of Persil capsules from Home Bargains in Pembroke Dock, with a total value of £58.41.

The following month, she stole four small beef joints, four steaks and three blocks of cheese from Asda in Pembroke Dock, worth £55.68.

Seven days later, she stole four legs of lamb from Farmfoods in Pembroke Dock, valued at £99.96.

Stewart, of Truscott House, London Road, Pembroke Dock, also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police bail on or around May 26.

She was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told magistrates the thefts involved items of relatively low value and were not the result of “sophisticated offending”.

“The defendant has had an exceptionally difficult time, as last year she lost her partner to cancer and has struggled profoundly to process that grief,” said Ms Harries.

“Instead, she has attempted to cope by taking more of her prescribed medication than she should. And this is what has led her to be here today.”

Ms Harries said Stewart is now motivated to address her issues.

Magistrates sentenced Stewart to an 18-month community order. She must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

The order will include monthly reviews in court.