News

Defendant carried a knife daily but had no intent to kill, says defence

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2025

A TEENAGE girl, who can not be named for legal reasons, is standing trial for the attempted murder of two teachers and a fellow pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on Wednesday (Apr 24, 2024). The incident, which sent shockwaves through the local community, resulted in emergency services rushing to the school following reports of a violent attack.

The defendant, now 14, denies three charges of attempted murder but has admitted to three counts of wounding with intent. The prosecution argues that her actions were premeditated, while the defence contends that she was a deeply troubled child who acted out of emotional turmoil rather than homicidal intent.

Defence argues lack of intent to kill

In her closing speech, defence barrister Ms Caroline Rees KC acknowledged that her client had already accepted responsibility for “very serious offences” but maintained that there was no evidence of a deliberate plan to kill. “She hasn’t tried to suggest that anything she did on that day was justified,” Ms Rees told the jury.

The court heard how the defendant, just 13 at the time of the attack, was a withdrawn and unhappy child who struggled with mental health issues. Ms Rees described her as someone who “carried a knife daily” but insisted that this was not a sign of intent to kill, rather a means of self-harm. “She wasn’t a child who really had people to turn to,” Ms Rees said. “Instead, she tended to hide herself away, to isolate, and she drew.”

The defence referenced disturbing drawings and writings found in the defendant’s possession, which painted a picture of a lonely child fixated on dark themes. However, Ms Rees argued that these were not evidence of an intention to commit murder, but rather an outlet for her emotional distress.

“Fast and furious” attack lacked planning, says defence

While acknowledging that the defendant disliked Mrs Elias and the pupil she attacked, Ms Rees contended that this did not equate to a desire to take their lives. She pointed to statements the defendant made before the incident, including calling a drink her “last drink” and expressing a desire to get expelled, as signs of impulsive behaviour rather than a calculated murder plot.

Describing the attack on Mrs Elias as “fast and furious and over in under a minute,” Ms Rees argued that if the defendant had intended to kill, she would have chosen a more secluded location where she was less likely to be interrupted. “She did not seek to take them somewhere private. She did not plan a scenario where she could act without being stopped,” Ms Rees said.

The jury was also reminded of witness testimony that alleged the defendant had shouted “I’m going to f****** kill you” during the attack. Ms Rees argued that these words, while shocking, were spoken in a moment of heightened emotion rather than evidence of intent. “The 13-year-old defendant was angry, out of control, she could have said anything.”

Doubts over targeting of second teacher and pupil

Ms Rees also challenged the prosecution’s case regarding Ms Hopkin, one of the teachers who was wounded. The defendant had no known grievance against her, and Ms Rees highlighted the absence of any prior animosity between them. “There is no evidence whatsoever of any malice towards her,” she said.

Similarly, the defence disputed the claim that the defendant had made a direct threat to the teenage victim. Ms Rees pointed to inconsistencies in witness statements and suggested that “drama and talk and gossip on Snapchat and WhatsApp after the event” may have influenced recollections of what was said. “Just because somebody says ‘I’ll kill you’ or threatens to kill, it doesn’t mean they mean it,” she told the jury.

Defendant’s police van comments reflect shock, not guilt

The jury also heard about comments made by the defendant in the police van after her arrest. Prosecutors argued that her words demonstrated a clear awareness of what she had done. However, Ms Rees suggested they instead showed a child who was beginning to realise the gravity of her actions. “We say reality is beginning to dawn. She’s slowly realising what she’s done,” she said.

His Honour Judge Paul Thomas KC has now summed up the evidence, instructing the jury on the legal definitions of intent and the significance of the defendant’s age in assessing her culpability. The jury has retired to consider their verdicts.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

13 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

14 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

19 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.