Crime

Trial continues into Swansea city centre murder case

Published

11 months ago

January 14, 2025

THE TRIAL of two men accused of murdering a workmate during a night out in Swansea city centre is underway at Swansea Crown Court.

This week, the jury heard how Andrew Main, 33, was subjected to what prosecutors described as a “prolonged and vicious” attack, leading to multiple head fractures and a traumatic brain injury. Despite medical efforts, Main was pronounced dead four weeks after the incident.

Joseph Dix and Macaulay Ruddock stand accused of the murder, which allegedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Both men deny the charge.

ALTERCATION OUTSIDE TRAVELODGE

Prosecutor John Elias KC described how an altercation outside the Travelodge on Princess Way escalated into violence. Main and his friend, Michael Bell, encountered Dix and Ruddock, who allegedly chased Main down the street before attacking him.

The prosecution claims Dix delivered a punch to the back of Main’s head, knocking him unconscious. Dix and Ruddock are accused of repeatedly striking Main while he lay defenceless on the pavement. Main never regained consciousness and succumbed to his injuries in hospital four weeks later.

PROSECUTION OUTLINES INTENT

Elias told the jury the attack demonstrated clear intent to cause serious harm. He argued that both defendants were jointly responsible, highlighting the repeated blows inflicted while Main was unconscious.

“All four men were staying at the same Travelodge while working in Swansea,” Elias said. He explained that the evening began with Main and Bell drinking at the Potters Wheel pub, while Dix and Ruddock socialised at the Bank Statement bar. Later, the defendants met two women—also guests at the hotel—at the Coyote Ugly bar, where they first encountered Main.

RISING TENSIONS

After returning to the Travelodge, tensions reportedly escalated when Dix accused Bell of irritating one of the women. Despite Main and Bell being described as “polite and friendly,” an argument broke out. Hotel staff intervened, temporarily defusing the situation, but the conflict reignited outside the hotel.

CCTV footage showed Main trying to mediate and calm tensions. When Bell fled the scene, the defendants allegedly turned their attention to Main. The prosecution claims Dix delivered the initial punch, knocking Main unconscious, before both men continued the assault.

Witnesses described hearing “loud thudding sounds” as Main was attacked while lying on the ground.

INJURIES AND MEDICAL EVIDENCE

Main suffered fractures to his face and a severe traumatic brain injury. Medical reports detailed significant brain swelling and bleeding, which required intensive care. Despite treatment, his condition worsened, and end-of-life care was agreed upon on August 2.

Blood samples revealed alcohol, cannabis, and traces of ketamine, which paramedics may have administered to manage Main’s airway.

DEFENDANTS’ REACTION

The jury was told Dix later tried to place Main in the recovery position, while Ruddock called emergency services. Police body-worn camera footage captured Dix insisting he acted in self-defence, saying: “He wouldn’t stop trying to hit me. Look at the cameras. I promise I wasn’t trying to start it. If someone was swinging at you, you wouldn’t just take it.”

The trial continues.

Crime

Swansea man jailed for online child sex offence dies in prison

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man who was jailed earlier this year for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child has died while in custody.

Gareth Davies, aged 59, of the Maritime Quarter, was serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in May of sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy used as part of an online safeguarding operation.

The court heard that Davies began communicating with the decoy between November and December 2024 and persistently pursued the individual, later attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He was arrested after being confronted by the decoy operators.

Davies had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial. At the time of sentencing, police described the messages as extremely concerning and said his imprisonment was necessary to protect children.

It has now been confirmed that Davies died at HMP Parc on Wednesday (Nov 27) while serving his sentence.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent investigation into the death, which is standard procedure in all cases where someone dies in custody. No cause of death has been released at this stage.

A coroner will determine the circumstances in due course.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man sent to Crown Court over death by careless driving charge

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court to stand trial accused of causing a death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Beach Road, Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 18).

The court heard that MacCallum is charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving following an incident on Thursday (June 13, 2024).

No plea was entered at this stage of the proceedings.

Magistrates were told the case was too serious to be dealt with at magistrates’ level and ordered that it be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

MacCallum was sent to the Crown Court on unconditional bail, with further proceedings to take place at a later date.

The prosecution was brought by Dyfed-Powys Police. No defence solicitor was formally recorded at the hearing.

Crime

Breakthrough in 1993 Tooze murders: 86-year-old man arrested after cold case review

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE investigating one of Wales’ most disturbing unsolved double murders have arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of killing elderly couple Harry and Megan Tooze more than three decades ago.

South Wales Police confirmed the arrest on Tuesday (Dec 17), following a forensic cold case review into the 1993 killings, which shocked the rural community of Llanharry and cast a long shadow over the South Wales justice system.

Harry Tooze, aged 64, and his wife Megan, 67, were found shot dead with a shotgun at their isolated Ty Ar y Waun farmhouse on July 26, 1993. Their bodies were discovered inside a cowshed on the property, concealed beneath carpet and hay bales, having been shot in the head at close range.

The brutality of the killings and the remoteness of the scene prompted one of the most high-profile murder investigations in Wales at the time.

Conviction later quashed

In 1995, Cheryl Tooze’s then-boyfriend, Jonathan Jones, was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. The prosecution case rested heavily on a partial fingerprint found on a teacup at the farmhouse.

However, the conviction unravelled just a year later. In 1996, the Court of Appeal quashed the verdict, ruling it unsafe and highlighting serious concerns about the reliability of the fingerprint evidence. The decision was widely regarded as a significant miscarriage of justice.

Jones, who consistently maintained his innocence, was supported throughout the ordeal by Cheryl Tooze, whom he later married. The couple have since spoken publicly about the devastating impact of the case on their lives.

Despite renewed appeals and periodic reviews, no one else was charged and the murders remained unresolved for nearly 30 years.

Operation Vega and forensic advances

In 2023, marking the 30th anniversary of the killings, South Wales Police launched a full cold case review under Operation Vega. The review was led by forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop, one of the UK’s most respected figures in forensic investigation.

Detectives re-examined preserved exhibits from the original crime scene using modern forensic and DNA techniques that were not available in the early 1990s. Police have not disclosed which items were re-analysed or what evidence led to the latest arrest.

On December 17, officers arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of murdering Harry and Megan Tooze. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue. No further details about the suspect have been released at this stage.

Police appeal for information

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Mark Lewis described the arrest as a significant moment, but stressed that the investigation is ongoing.

He said: “While this arrest is clearly a significant development in the investigation, our enquiries are very much ongoing. This case has affected many people over the years and our aim is to find answers to the unanswered questions which remain about their deaths over 30 years on.

“Even with the passage of time, I would urge anyone who has information about the murders, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward and speak to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police, quoting occurrence number 2300016841.