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Crime

Guilty verdict returned in Saundersfoot pub assault case

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JAMES O’NEILL, 53, from Merthyr Tydfil, was found guilty of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Dec 13). His co-defendants, Aron O’Neill, 25, and Shaun Nicholas, 24, were acquitted after the jury ruled that their actions were in self-defence.

The charges arose from a violent altercation at The Boat House pub in Saundersfoot on October 28, 2022. The complainant, Stephen Kanauros, had been celebrating his daughter’s birthday with his family when tensions escalated, leading to a brutal attack that left Mr. Kanauros with serious injuries.

During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage and graphic images of Mr. Kanauros’ injuries. Prosecutors revealed that James O’Neill bit off part of Mr. Kanauros’ lip during the altercation, with the severed section later found on the pub floor. O’Neill also bit the complainant’s finger, causing further significant injuries.

Prosecutor Dyfed Thomas KC argued that James O’Neill’s actions were deliberate and intended to cause serious harm. “He intended to cause harm—really serious harm—and he certainly achieved it,” Mr. Thomas said.

The violence reportedly stemmed from James O’Neill’s anger after bar staff questioned his daughter, Lowri O’Neill, about her ID. When staff asked the group to leave, James O’Neill responded aggressively, directing offensive language at the staff and blowing vape smoke at them.

Co-defendants cleared

While James O’Neill was found guilty, his co-defendants, Aron O’Neill and Shaun Nicholas, successfully argued they acted in self-defence during the altercation. Both men testified that their actions were defensive and aimed at protecting James O’Neill.

Aron admitted throwing punches but maintained they did not connect as alleged. Shaun acknowledged striking Mr. Kanauros once but described his action as a panicked response to protect his uncle.

Their legal teams emphasized that the men’s actions were reasonable given the perceived threat to James O’Neill.

Courtroom testimony

During closing arguments, Mr. Singh, representing Shaun Nicholas, drew comparisons to Mr. Kanauros’ defence of his wife earlier in the altercation. “Shaun Nicholas acted out of a desire to protect his uncle. How is this any different from when Mr. Kanauros defended his wife?”

The jury ultimately found the two men not guilty, while James O’Neill was held solely responsible for the grievous injuries inflicted on Mr. Kanauros.

James O’Neill is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday (Jan 17) 2025.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the injuries and the dramatic CCTV evidence presented in court.

Crime

Police appeal for information following fatal Carmarthenshire collision

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE is appealing for information following a fatal collision on the A4138 between the Llangennech roundabout and the Crematorium roundabout in Carmarthenshire.

The incident occurred at around 10:50pm on Wednesday (April 2) and involved a silver BMW and a black Peugeot 208.

Tragically, the driver of the BMW died as a result of their injuries. Their next of kin has been informed.

The driver of the Peugeot remains in hospital in a critical condition.

The road was closed overnight to allow for a full collision investigation and reopened at around 8:45am today (April 3).

Police are urging anyone who may have been travelling along the A4138 at the time to get in touch, particularly motorists with dash cam footage from the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police either online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.

Quote reference: 25*271914

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Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded over solicitor’s office damage

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ROWAN CLARK, aged 24, of no fixed abode in Pembroke Dock, appeared before magistrates this week accused of criminal damage at a legal office in Pembroke.

The court heard that on Saturday, April 27, 2024, Clark allegedly caused £62 worth of damage to property belonging to Greathead and Whitelock Solicitors, located on Hamilton Terrace.

Clark has pleaded not guilty to the offence and has been remanded in custody ahead of further hearings.

He is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 15, via live video link for a case mention, with sentencing scheduled for April 22 if convicted.

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Crime

Pembroke man remanded after thefts, vehicle interference and criminal damage

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ROWAN CLARK, aged 24, of Devon Drive, Pembroke, has been remanded in custody following a string of offences in the town including multiple thefts, vehicle interference and damage to public property.

Clark appeared before magistrates in Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 27) where he admitted stealing alcohol worth £24 from Bush Hill Service Station on March 8, £27.20 worth of alcohol from Spar on both February 18 and March 18, £34.33 worth of groceries from Spar on February 11, and £21.57 worth of groceries from Bush Hill Service Station on the same date.

He also admitted to interfering with a motor vehicle—a blue Honda—on February 19 with the intent to steal it or items from it.

Additionally, Clark was convicted of criminal damage after smashing windows worth £602.78 belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council on September 16 last year.

Clark was also convicted of failing to attend an assessment for drug misuse on February 8, after testing positive for cocaine.

He has been remanded in custody while reports are prepared and will next appear in court on Tuesday, April 15, via live video link.

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