Crime

Trial of teen accused of attempted murder at Welsh school abandoned

Published

1 year ago

October 9, 2024

THE TRIAL of a teenage girl accused of attempting to murder two teachers and a pupil at a Welsh school has been dramatically halted as the jury was considering its verdicts.

Jurors in the case have been discharged, and a retrial is now set to take place.

The girl—whose identity cannot be revealed due to her age—was accused of attempting to murder teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, along with a fellow pupil, during a multiple stabbing incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford in April.

While she denied the charges of attempted murder, she pleaded guilty to three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife on school premises.

The trial had been taking place at Swansea Crown Court.

Although the evidence had all been presented, the jury was deliberating when, on Wednesday morning, Judge Paul Thomas KC informed the court that the jurors would need to be discharged “with great reluctance” due to “a great irregularity in the jury,” which had irreparably compromised their ability to consider the case.

“It is very unsatisfactory to discharge the jury, especially for the defendant, who will now have to stand trial again,” the judge added.

The retrial is scheduled for January 27 next year.

In a related statement, Dyfed-Powys Police urged the public to avoid speculation regarding the details of the case, stating that it would not be appropriate to comment further while proceedings remain active.

The police said: ““Legal proceedings surrounding the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on Wednesday, April 24 are still active, and it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further at this time.

“A re-trial is set to begin on 27 January 2025.

“We would like to remind people that the teenager accused of three counts of attempted murder cannot be named for legal reasons.

“We urge people not to speculate on the details of the case, nor to share footage or material which could prejudice the case or cause further distress to those involved.”

On the day of the attack, emergency services, including two air ambulances, were dispatched to the school. A knife was recovered from the scene, and the victims—Ms Elias, Ms Hopkin, and a pupil—were taken to hospital. While none of the injuries were life-threatening, Ms Hopkin, who was stabbed in the neck, had to be airlifted for treatment.

The school was immediately locked down and remained closed the following day while investigations were carried out.

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.