AT Swansea Crown Court, builder Ben Hilton of Robert Street, Milford Haven, faced charges that signal an unavoidable prison term. Hilton, 32, was brought before the court on charges of possessing a utility knife in an incident on Vine Road, Johnston, on June 16 last year.

During the altercation, he reportedly used the knife to slash a car tyre and threatened the vehicle’s owner.

Hilton pleaded guilty to possessing the knife and to criminal damage related to the tyre incident. However, he denied making threats with the knife. Prosecutor Caitlin Brazel accepted these pleas, indicating that the court would not pursue a trial on the charge of making threats.

The court also reviewed Hilton’s ongoing custody situation, stemming from his admission of guilt in previous offences, including strangling his wife and assaulting a police officer in Milford Haven on June 28.

His defence, led by Stuart John, highlighted Hilton’s participation in various prison-offered courses, focusing on relationship management.

Presiding Judge Paul Thomas KC remarked on Hilton’s criminal history, noting, “This is a man with a bad record.” Addressing Hilton directly, Judge Thomas stated, “It seems to me that a prison sentence is inevitable, particularly in view of the strangulation matter. And that’s just one of the matters that you face.”

Sentencing has been deferred to October 18, with Hilton to remain in custody until the next hearing.

A PROMINENT criminal barrister has joined the chorus calling for a fresh investigation into the deaths of siblings Griff and Patti Thomas, who were found dead in their isolated Pembrokeshire farmhouse in 1976.

Nearly half a century after the grim discovery at Ffynon Samson in the village of Llangolman, barrister Andrew Taylor is questioning the original findings that suggested Griff murdered his sister before taking his own life. Mr. Taylor, known for his work in overturning wrongful murder convictions, has cast doubt on several pieces of evidence used in the initial investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their review of the case remains active.

The bodies of Griff and Patti Thomas were initially found by a postman in December 1976. An inquest in Haverfordwest in February 1977 delivered a verdict of manslaughter for Patti and an open verdict for Griff, leaving unanswered questions about the true circumstances of their deaths.

Mr. Taylor pointed out troubling aspects of the evidence, including a nail found embedded in Griff’s eye with no satisfactory explanation from police or pathologists, and significant bleeding from a head injury which contradicts the absence of third-party involvement. Moreover, the scene contained two half-drunk cups of tea and uneaten food, hinting at the presence of a visitor, and no accelerants were found, which challenges the suicide theory.

These details suggest that the siblings might have been entertaining a known visitor shortly before their deaths, adding complexity to the narrative of a lone murder-suicide.

The case has recently gained additional attention through a new BBC Sounds podcast, “Death on the Farm,” which explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The podcast follows The Pembrokeshire Herald playing significant roles in reviving interest in the case.

Over the years the newspaper has dedicated extensive investigative resources to questioning the initial police conclusions, which suggested that Griff Thomas killed his sister Patti before setting their farmhouse on fire and perishing in the blaze himself.

In recent years, Herald journalists such as Andy Chandler and Jon Coles have highlighted the inconsistencies in the original investigation, particularly focusing on forensic evidence, such as unidentified fingerprints and the unexplained presence of blood on a sewing machine cover.

Their work, combined with campaigns led by local media outlets like Clebran and community councils, pressured Dyfed-Powys Police to consider reopening the case. Coverage has emphasised that the official verdict, which painted Griff as a murderer despite his physical limitations and severe arthritis, left many unanswered questions​

The Herald’s reporting has also been instrumental in debunking earlier theories linking notorious serial killer John Cooper to the deaths of the Thomas siblings. Through detailed interviews with local sources and a focus on forensic gaps in the investigation, these publications have kept the unresolved nature of the case in the public eye, pushing for justice more than 45 years later​.

With the launch of Operation Hallam, a forensic cold case review started in October 2022, plus this renewed interest, there now renewed hope that modern investigative techniques might finally provide clarity on this nearly 50-year-old case, answering lingering questions and potentially clearing Griff Thomas’s name.

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.