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The court heard how the defendant, just 13 at the time of the attack, was a withdrawn and unhappy child who struggled with mental health issues.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

News

Police asked to investigate alleged ‘sabotage’ of Senedd candidate’s campaign

Published

10 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

INDEPENDENT Senedd candidate Paul Haywood-Dowson has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police alleging that his election campaign was deliberately disrupted less than 24 hours before polling day.

In an email sent on Wednesday afternoon (May 6) to the force’s Electoral Fraud and Malpractice Single Point of Contact (SPOC), Mr Haywood-Dowson claimed a marketing contractor had taken possession of 4,000 election leaflets and then stopped responding to communications.

Mr Haywood-Dowson, who is standing in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, alleged the actions amounted to “criminal sabotage of election material” under Section 115 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

He wrote: “I am formally reporting a criminal interference in the election occurring right now.”

The candidate claimed a Liverpool-based contractor had collected the leaflets and accepted £252 in payment before allegedly failing to deliver or return them.

Mr Haywood-Dowson stated: “By taking physical possession of my flyers and refusing to deliver or return them 24 hours before the poll, he has used a ‘fraudulent device or contrivance’ to prevent the free exercise of the franchise by my potential voters.”

He further alleged: “This is not a delivery delay. It is Theft by Deception.”

The email requested a crime reference number and asked police to contact the contractor “immediately” to secure the return of the campaign material.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police and the contractor, who we are not naming at this stage, for comment.

News

Farage mocked over ‘London elections’ advert in Welsh newspaper

Published

22 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

REFORM UK leader Nigel Farage has been criticised after a campaign advert urging people to vote in the “London elections” appeared in a Welsh newspaper read by voters in Powys.

Critics say advert shows Reform’s campaign is focused on London, not Wales

The two-page party political advert was published in the Powys County Times on Friday (May 1), just days before voters in Wales go to the polls in the Senedd election on Thursday (May 7).

The advert included a letter from Mr Farage in which he attacked London Mayor Sadiq Khan and claimed the capital had become “lawless” and “unrecognisable” under Labour.

But the message appeared to have been aimed at London voters, not those in Powys.

In the letter, Mr Farage wrote: “If you want to get rid of Keir Starmer and change the direction of this country, there is one way to do it: Vote Reform in the London elections on May 7th.”

He added: “London needs Reform. It is one of the world’s great capitals. Yet these days Sadiq Khan’s London often feels lawless and unrecognisable to Londoners who can no longer afford to live in their own city.”

The advert has since been seized on by rival parties, who say it raises questions about Reform UK’s focus on Wales during the Senedd campaign.

A Welsh Labour source said: “For Wales, see London. Reform UK’s focus isn’t on Wales, it’s on getting Farage into Number 10.

“They don’t even care enough to place the right advert in the right country. It’s all about promoting Farage as their front man and fooling voters into thinking they’ve got more than slogans.”

Voters in Wales will elect Members of the Senedd on Thursday, while a number of local council and mayoral elections are also taking place in England.

In London, all 32 boroughs are holding elections, with more than 1,800 councillors due to be elected.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats also criticised the advert.

Glyn Preston, the party’s lead candidate for Gwynedd Maldwyn, said: “Reform can’t even get the right election on their own leaflets. It says everything about how little they understand or care about Wales or Powys, and raises serious questions about their ability to run the country.

“While they’re busy talking about Sadiq Khan and London, the Liberal Democrats are focused on the issues that actually matter to people here in Powys — long NHS waiting times, rural communities, and securing a fair deal on investment from Cardiff Bay.

“Powys deserves representatives who are rooted in the communities they serve, who know and understand local challenges, not yes-men taking their lead from Nigel Farage in London in his latest quest for power.”

Reform UK has been running newspaper adverts across Wales in the run-up to the Senedd election.

The party has been polling strongly, with surveys suggesting it could make major gains under the new voting system.

Reform UK has not yet commented publicly on why a London-focused advert appeared in a Powys newspaper.

Community

Sixth-former firefighter balances schoolwork with saving lives

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

When the alerter sounds, 18-year-old Bobi Jones swaps his school for his local fire station, serving as one of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s (MAWWFRS) youngest On-Call Firefighters.

He responds to incidents in his own time and has been granted special permission by his school, Ysgol Bro Teifi to leave free periods whenever an emergency call comes in.

Bobi applied to become an on-call firefighter shortly before his 18th birthday and follows in the footsteps of his brother, father, uncle and grandfather, marking three generations of firefighters and over 75 years of combined service. His family’s legacy reflects the strong community roots and sense of duty that have underpinned MAWWFRS for three decades.

Having spent time around his local fire station and the fire and rescue service from a young age, Bobi was keen to join the service. With an upcoming point of entry test, he applied as soon as he was eligible.

After completing his initial training, Bobi joined the crew at Newcastle Emlyn Fire Station in November 2025 and has enjoyed responding to incidents while further building his skills and knowledge. One standout incident was a fire at a local gym where he was involved in rolling out hoses and establishing safety lines.

As well as following in his family’s footsteps, Bobi says he joined MAWWFRS as he wanted to support his local community, which he has found really rewarding. Alongside his operational role and playing for Newcastle Emlyn Rugby Club, Bobi is studying A-Level Business and Sport and plans to start an electrician apprenticeship after finishing school, with a long-term goal of becoming a Wholetime Firefighter.

Talking about balancing his role as an on-call firefighter with life as a sixth-form pupil at Ysgol Bro Teifi in Llandysul, Bobi said:
“There’s a good crew here at Newcastle Emlyn Station, which includes members of my family. We all support each other and there’s great camaraderie here.”

Asked what advice he would give to anyone considering becoming an on-call firefighter, Bobi added:
“I would say absolutely go for it, the availability options are flexible enough to suit everyone and the Service is always recruiting for more on-call firefighters.”

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is currently recruiting for on-call firefighters who, like Bobi, remain an essential part in protecting communities.
The role of an on-call Firefighter provides many opportunities for personal and professional development, through training, teamwork, leadership and problem solving. On-call firefighters receive payment for their services, including retainer fees and call-out payments, supplementing their income from other employment.