Crime

Pupil who tried to murder teachers and pupil at West Wales school faces sentence

Published

1 year ago

April 28, 2025

A TEENAGE girl who attempted to murder two teachers and a pupil during a stabbing spree at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford is being sentenced today (April 28) at Swansea Crown Court.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, took her father’s multi-tool to school and launched a frenzied attack during morning break on 24 April 2024.

Deputy head teacher Fiona Elias, teacher Liz Hopkin, and a female pupil were all seriously injured in the attack.

***Sentencing hearing: Swansea Crown Court***

The defendant admitted possession of a bladed article and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but denied attempted murder. A jury found her guilty on all counts earlier this year.

During the trial, the court heard how the girl approached Mrs Elias in the school yard, said “I’m going to f****** kill you,” and stabbed her in the arms. When Mrs Hopkin intervened, the teenager turned on her, stabbing her in the neck, back, legs, and arms. She then attacked a female pupil before being restrained by staff.

Terrified children witnessed the incident, and some later gave evidence. CCTV footage from the school captured the shocking events.

The teenager told the jury she had been bullied at school and said she often felt “anxious and scared”. She claimed she had no intention of hurting anyone, but the jury rejected her account.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the court today that if the defendant had been an adult, she would have faced a sentence of between 20 and 30 years, with a starting point of 25 years. However, as the defendant is a child, different sentencing guidelines must be applied.

The court heard that the girl poses a “medium to high risk” to others and that she had been involved in a “very disturbing incident” while in accommodation awaiting sentence.

The judge said the future for the defendant was “uncertain” and noted that she presented a risk both in her current setting and potentially even more so outside of it.

Defence barrister Caroline Rees KC asked the court to consider the girl’s young age and “low” level of maturity, saying she still had “a great deal of growing up” to do before adulthood.

Judge Thomas confirmed that reporting restrictions preventing the identification of the teenager would remain in place.

Sentencing is ongoing.

Crime

Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop

Published

59 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477

A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.

Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.

Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.

“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.

“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”

Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Crime

Carpenter banned after drug-driving in camper van

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Pembroke Dock man was five times over the cannabis limit

A PEMBROKESHIRE carpenter has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel of his camper van while five times over the drug-drive limit.

James Toulouse, 35, was stopped by police shortly before midnight on December 20, 2025, as he drove his white Mercedes Vito along Buttermilk Lane in Pembroke.

“There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and the driver, who was James Toulouse, appeared glazed, as his eyes were red and bleary,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

A roadside drug swipe proved positive. Further tests showed Toulouse had 11mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

The court heard this was Toulouse’s second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Toulouse, of Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said the defendant works as a carpenter.

“Obviously it’s not going to be easy for him to carry on with his work, but he’s fully intending to do so,” he said.

Toulouse was disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £140 surcharge.