News

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

Published

10 months 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The court heard how the defendant, just 13 at the time of the attack, was a withdrawn and unhappy child who struggled with mental health issues.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.

Farming

Basic Payment Scheme 2025 balance paid to 95% of Welsh farmers

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Final year of BPS as transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme begins

The WELSH Government says more than ninety-five per cent of farm businesses have now received their full or balance payment under the final year of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), ahead of the introduction of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2026.

Announcing the update on Friday (Dec 12), Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed that over 15,400 Welsh farm businesses have been paid £68.7m. This comes on top of the £160m issued in BPS advance payments since 14 October.

Final round of BPS payments

The Basic Payment Scheme, which has been the backbone of farm support in Wales for a decade, provides direct income support to help farmers plan and manage their businesses. BPS 2025 marks the last year in which full BPS payments will be made before the scheme begins to be phased out.

The Cabinet Secretary said officials would “continue to process the outstanding BPS 2025 claims as soon as possible,” adding that all but the most complex cases should be completed by 30 June 2026.

Payments issued today represent the main balance due to farmers following earlier advances, giving many businesses the cash flow they need during the quieter winter period—traditionally a challenging time in the agricultural calendar.

Shift to Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026

From 1 January 2026, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out the Sustainable Farming Scheme, a major reform to how agricultural support is delivered. The SFS will reward farmers for environmental outcomes such as habitat management, carbon reduction and biodiversity improvements, alongside continued food production.

The government has argued that the new scheme is essential to meeting Wales’ climate and nature targets while ensuring long-term resilience in the sector. However, the transition has been closely watched by farming unions, who have raised concerns about the administrative burden, income stability, and the speed at which BPS is being phased out.

Mr Irranca-Davies reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying: “This government is steadfastly committed to supporting Welsh farmers to sustainably produce quality food. This is demonstrated today in our payment of the BPS 2025 balance payments and will continue throughout the transition period.”

Sector reaction

Farming unions are expected to scrutinise the detail of today’s announcement, particularly around remaining unpaid cases. Last year, late payments led to frustration in parts of the sector, with unions calling for greater certainty as the industry faces rising input costs, supply chain pressures and continued market volatility.

The move to the SFS remains one of the most significant agricultural policy changes in Wales since devolution. Ministers insist the shift is designed to support both food production and environmental stewardship, while critics warn the transition must not undermine farm viability—especially for family-run livestock farms that dominate rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

What happens next

Farmers still awaiting their BPS 2025 balance will continue to be processed “as soon as possible”, the Welsh Government said. Officials will also publish updated guidance on the Sustainable Farming Scheme ahead of its launch.

The coming year will therefore become a pivotal moment for Welsh agriculture, as the long-standing BPS framework—which provided over £200m annually to Welsh farmers—makes way for a new results-based model that will shape the industry for decades to come.

News

Improved train timetable launches across Wales

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Extra services, later trains and boosted Sunday routes as £800m rail investment takes effect

An improved train timetable has come into force across Wales today (Sunday, 14 December), with Transport for Wales (TfW) introducing more frequent services, stronger connections and additional late-night trains on key routes.

The winter timetable update brings one of the most substantial uplifts in recent years on the Wales and Borders network, forming part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing £800 million investment in brand-new rolling stock and reliability improvements.

More trains and later journeys

Among the upgrades, passengers will see:

A new hourly additional service between Chester and Wrexham, effectively doubling the frequency on one of the region’s busiest commuter corridors.
An extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, supporting shift workers and the night-time economy.
A new hourly Sunday service on the Coryton line in Cardiff.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said improved connectivity was “absolutely vital” for economic growth and passenger confidence.

“These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services and greater connectivity,” he said. “This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

“We will see the doubling of trains between Wrexham and Chester and a later service from the capital to valley communities. In South Wales, people will continue to benefit from simpler, fairer fares through TfW’s Pay As You Go service, and its forthcoming introduction in North Wales will help even more passengers access easy, transparent pricing.”

Full details of the updated timetable are available at: tfw.wales/service-status/timetables

News

Wrecked guard boat still under watch off north Pembrokeshire coast

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tidal changes monitored after dramatic early-morning rescue

A GUARD VESSEL that ran aground off the north Pembrokeshire coast in the early hours of Thursday morning (Dec 11) remains under close observation as tides continue to shift.

The Resolute, a 24-metre guard boat understood to be working for an offshore wind project off the Irish coast, had been sheltering in worsening weather when she was pushed onto rocks near Aber Hywel, Dinas, shortly after 3:25am.

Four crew members were onboard when the vessel grounded in rough seas and a strong southerly wind.

Major rescue effort launched

The crew issued an emergency alert, prompting a full multi-agency response.
A coastguard rescue helicopter, both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats, and coastguard teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene.

Turbulent air made a winch rescue impossible and Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat was unable to get close due to cliffs and submerged hazards. The inshore lifeboat was instead deployed to attempt a transfer in extremely challenging conditions.

During the evacuation, the third crew member descending to the vessel’s life raft slipped, fell into the water and was swept away. Speaking afterwards, RNLI crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the team immediately switched into “hyper-focused” mode as training took over.

Despite the casualty drifting, helm Warren Bean — a volunteer with more than 30 years’ RNLI experience — manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside, allowing crew to haul the man to safety. The remaining crew member was then retrieved, and all four were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat and brought ashore to Fishguard.

All rescue units were later stood down.

Vessel still stranded and taking on water

The Herald understands that the Resolute remained aground on the rocks yesterday and was taking on water. The crew were later assisted back onboard by a local fisherman to assess damage on behalf of the vessel’s operators.

Management representatives from Ireland were due to arrive to draw up a recovery plan, including arrangements to remove fuel to prevent any potential environmental impact.

Further inspections have been taking place today as the team evaluates the next steps.

Coastguard statement

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “At 3.28am on Thursday morning, HM Coastguard was made aware of a vessel with four persons onboard aground on rocks at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene. The four people aboard were rescued by lifeboat, and the helicopter was stood down. The vessel, which is still aground, is being monitored as tidal conditions change.”