Crime

Two men sentenced to life for murder of Andrew Main at Swansea Travelodge

Published

4 weeks ago

January 24, 2025

JOSEPH DIX, 26, from Frome, and Macauley Ruddock, 28, from Bath, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Andrew Main, a 33-year-old man from Falkirk, Scotland. The tragic incident occurred in Swansea city centre on July 17, 2024, where all three men were staying at the same hotel for work.

The fatal confrontation began with an argument at a nearby bar, escalating back at the hotel and spilling onto the street. Dix and Ruddock chased Mr. Main, rendering him unconscious before launching a prolonged and brutal assault. The court heard that Dix struck Mr. Main from behind, knocking him out. Both men then continued to punch him in the head and face as he lay helpless on the pavement.

Mr. Main never regained consciousness and succumbed to his injuries on August 14, 2024, nearly a month after the attack. His sisters, Nikki Main and Sharon Leebody, provided emotional impact statements in court, expressing the profound grief and trauma their family has endured.

In her statement, Nikki Main said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken and depressed at what has happened to Andrew. My kids are distraught at losing their uncle. Andrew was like my first child. I had legal guardianship over him at 18, since both our parents passed away. I’ve been referred to a psychologist and am struggling with suicidal thoughts. My kids feel scared for my safety. There will forever be a hole in my heart.”

Sharon Leebody added: “When the decision was made to remove life support on August 14, I was devastated. I returned home after Andrew’s death and have been housebound since. Life will never be the same now that he is gone.”

During sentencing, Judge P H Thomas KC highlighted the defendants’ reckless behaviour.
“You two went on an alcohol and cocaine binge in the centre of the city—it lasted for many hours. You both became highly aggressive, and you both wanted to show off to each other. During the trial, neither of you took responsibility for what you did, claiming self-defense. The jury did not accept this. The overwhelming tragedy is that a man has senselessly lost his life in his 30s. I do not lose sight of that paramount point.”

Both Dix and Ruddock will serve a minimum of 13 years before being eligible to apply for parole.

Detective Inspector Claire Lamerton reflected on the devastating consequences of the defendants’ actions, stating: “If Dix and Ruddock had chosen to walk away that night, a life would have been saved, and they would not be convicted killers.”

The case serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic outcomes that can result from alcohol-fueled violence and poor decision-making.

Crime

Mother accused of murdering six-year-old son set to appear in court

Published

12 hours ago

February 17, 2025

Court Reporter

A MOTHER accused of murdering her son and attempting to kill her father is set to appear in court next month.

Karolina Zurawska, 41, of Cwm Du Close, Gendros, Swansea, is charged with the murder of her six-year-old son, Alexander Zurawski, whose body was discovered at a property in Swansea in August last year. She is also accused of attempting to murder her father, 67-year-old Krzysztof Siwi, on the same occasion.

Zurawska was due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Monday but was not produced from custody. A plea hearing has now been scheduled for March 3. She remains in custody.

Following Alexander’s death, his family described him as a “very kind child”. They said: “Alexander was always well-behaved and never naughty. He was very clever and very mature for his age. He had great understanding of facts. Alexander was always helpful, always eager to assist with cooking and cleaning.

“Alexander spoke both English and Polish and would often correct his parents with their English if they got words wrong. He was amazing.”

Crime

Woman ‘humiliated and embarrassed’ after alleged childhood rape

Published

13 hours ago

February 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A COURT has heard how a woman was left feeling ‘humiliated and embarrassed’ after being allegedly raped by a man when she was just nine years old.

“I feel so humiliated,” the victim told a jury sitting at Swansea Crown Court on Monday.

“He told me that if I ever told anybody, they wouldn’t believe me and I wouldn’t have any friends. I took his word for it.

“I was so scared that I used to wet the bed. And I knew why I was doing it…it was because I was scared.”

Gary Hicks, is accused of raping the female sometime between July 7, 1987, and December 31, 1989, when she was aged between 9 and 11.

This week Hicks, 63, appeared before a jury where he denied the charge.

The Crown claimed that at some point between 1987 and 1989, Hicks entered an upstairs bedroom in the house in the Milford Haven area where the child was living at the time of the alleged offence.

“She’d fallen asleep on the floor and Gary Hicks entered the room and laid her on her front,” said Daniel Jones, KC, for the Crown.

“She felt the defendant lift her hips and he penetrated her vagina with his hands from behind.”

Mr Jones claimed the assault lasted ‘a few minutes’.

“Gary Hicks said that if she ever told anyone about the abuse, she would not be believed and she’d have no friends,” he said. “‘Who was going to believe a young girl over a grown up?”

However when the child reached adulthood, she began telling people in confidence. These included her psychotherapist in 1993, her GP in 2006, a work colleague, and close members of her family. Finally, in the early hours of October, 2022 the victim made a call to Dyfed-Powys Police claiming that Gary Hicks had raped her when she was a child.

Hicks, formerly of Milford Haven, who now resides in Oregon Way, Luton denies the charge of rape.

His trial is expected to continue throughout this week.

Crime

Garage boss to stand trial for rape at Swansea Crown Court

Published

13 hours ago

February 17, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE garage owner will stand trial after denying a charge of rape.

Ceri Morgan, 61, is accused of raping a woman in Haverfordwest between November 30 and December 31, 2009.

Morgan appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded not guilty.

Judge Paul Thomas KC set a trial date for September 29. Morgan, of Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest, was re-bailed with conditions.

His bail conditions include remaining at his home address, adhering to a 7:00pm–7:00am electronic curfew, avoiding contact with the complainant, and surrendering his passport at Haverfordwest police station.