Crime

Murder trial of Andrew Main continues with harrowing witness testimonies

Published

3 months ago

January 10, 2025

THE TRIAL of Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock, accused of murdering Andrew Main outside a west Wales hotel, continued at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Jan 10), with witnesses providing chilling details of the events that led to Main’s death in July 2024.

Initial confrontation in hotel bar

David Hillier, a night worker at the Travelodge in Swansea, recounted his experiences from the night of July 16, 2024. Beginning his shift at 11:00pm, Hillier said Andrew Main and his friend Michael Bell were drinking but were not intoxicated. They were joined in the hotel bar by Hannah Tedstone, a guest at the Travelodge.

According to Hillier, Joseph Dix later entered the bar, aggressively confronting Main. Dix reportedly shouted, “What the [expletive] are you doing talking to my mate’s girlfriend?” The situation escalated, and Main and Bell left the bar, followed by Dix and Ruddock. Hillier said he locked the hotel doors to protect other guests and immediately called the police and an ambulance.

Witness awoken by screams

Sundeep Singh, a local resident, was awakened by the commotion. Giving evidence, Singh said: “A scream woke me up, and I went to the living room. I saw two people chasing one man near a lamppost. The man fell down and tried to protect himself while the other two punched him repeatedly in the face and shoulders. I called 999 immediately.”

Singh described seeing emergency vehicle lights reflected in his apartment windows as he returned to bed.

Crucial video evidence presented

Daniel Lamb, another Travelodge guest, captured part of the assault on video. Lamb testified that he awoke around 2:00am to the sounds of a confrontation outside. From his window, he recorded footage showing Dix and Ruddock pursuing Main and Bell, despite their apparent attempts to retreat.

Lamb said: “The victim, Main, got punched to the floor. He didn’t move or protect himself as the two men punched him repeatedly with force. They laughed, saying, ‘Did you see that punch?’ and called Main a ‘stupid dickhead.’” Lamb’s footage revealed Dix crouching over an unconscious Main, trying to wake him and then shouting at Bell, “You [expletive] started this. Your mate’s on the floor.”

Charges and ongoing trial

The prosecution alleges that Dix and Ruddock, both from Somerset, fatally attacked Andrew Main, a 33-year-old father of two from Falkirk, near the Travelodge on Princess Way, Swansea. Main succumbed to his injuries on August 14, 2024, nearly a month after the attack, leading to the charges being upgraded from wounding with intent to murder.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. The trial, which began in January 2025, is ongoing as more witnesses and evidence are presented.

This high-profile case has drawn significant attention, with the court hearing grim details of a night that ended in tragedy.

Crime

Four men charged after £150,000 e-bike burglary

Published

1 hour ago

April 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FOUR men have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary following a high-value break-in at an industrial estate in Aberystwyth.

The incident occurred at around 9:30pm on Saturday (Apr 12), when a large quantity of e-bikes—worth an estimated £150,000—was stolen from a property on the Glan Yr Afon Industrial Estate in Llanbadarn Fawr.

Gavin Johnson, 39, Keith Johnson, 32, Gareth Corbett, 36, and Wayne Dreisey, 40, all from the Birmingham area, have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.

They appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on April 19 and have been remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 19.

Another man, aged 33, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and has been released on bail while further enquiries continue.

Crime

Reform candidate co-opted to town council — graffiti appears days later

Published

3 days ago

April 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A MAN who recently lost a by-election standing for the Reform UK party has been co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council — just two days before political graffiti appeared at Withybush Retail Park.

Scott Thorley, who stood for Reform UK in the Prendergast by-election earlier this year, was appointed to Haverfordwest Town Council during a co-option meeting on Thursday (Apr 17).

***Campaign poster: Scott Thorley, Reform candiate***

Mr Thorley came fourth in a closely fought six-way contest for a seat on Pembrokeshire County Council, securing 71 votes. The by-election, held on Tuesday, February 11, was triggered by the resignation of former Conservative councillor Andrew Edwards, who stepped down following widespread backlash over racist comments attributed to him.

Independent candidate Alun Wills ultimately won the seat with 199 votes (31.6%), ahead of Kaleb Jenkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160), Mike Mathias (Welsh Conservative, 136), Scott Thorley (Reform UK, 71), Alison Tudor (Welsh Labour, 57), and James Henry Purchase (Wales Green Party, 8).

But on Saturday morning (Apr 19), just two days after Mr Thorley’s co-option, residents and shoppers were greeted with a string of large political slogans sprayed across walls and walkways at Withybush Retail Park. Messages included: “KEIR STARMER OUT, REFORM IN! GOD SAVE US” and a separate large slogan reading: “VOTE REFORM” — all daubed in white capital letters.

The incident has since been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, new town councillor Scott Thorley said: “Whoever has done this, it is vandalism plain and simple.”

Mr Thorley, who works at the retail park himself, said he did not notice the graffiti when arriving at work and was only made aware after a colleague sent him photos by phone.

He added: “The phrase ‘God Save Us’ doesn’t really sound like something a younger person would write — maybe it’s someone older. But whoever it was, this was not done by Reform. It does not help us — it’s embarrassing.”

Mr Thorley also noted the timing of the incident, saying: “It’s a bit fishy this happened less than two days after I was accepted onto the town council.”

Haverfordwest county councillor Thomas Baden Tudor told The Herald: “Damage to public or private property is completely unacceptable, and if anyone has any information on who carried out this act of vandalism, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously — online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.

“They’ll ask questions about the crime but won’t ask about you.

“Antisocial behaviour is not tolerated or acceptable in Haverfordwest.”

He added: “Alternatively, anyone with information can also call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.

***Awaiting comment: Alun Cllr Willis***

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted new county councillor Alun Wills by telephone for a comment. He said: “I have not seen the graffiti yet, I have just come back from work.” Cllr Wills said he had seen a media post about the incident, believed to be on The Herald’s Facebook page.

At the time of going to press, we are awaiting Cllr Wills to come back to us with a further comment.

The police have been contacted for a statement.

Crime

Haverfordwest man faces strangulation and assault charges

Published

3 days ago

April 19, 2025

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared in court accused of assaulting and strangling a woman on two separate occasions.

Ali Miah, aged 33, of Bush Row, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 16), facing three charges.

The court heard that Miah is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation during an incident in Haverfordwest on April 13. He also faces a further charge of intentional strangulation, alleged to have taken place on November 1, 2023, involving the same woman.

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where Miah is due to appear to enter his pleas on May 16.

He was granted bail.