News

Welsh teen planned knife attack and considered targeting Oasis concert

Published

12 months ago

July 7, 2025

Boy, 17, researched weapons and had a list of ‘places to attack’

A TEENAGER from South Wales has admitted possessing a terrorist document after planning a knife attack inspired by mass killer Axel Rudakubana — and considering targeting the first Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff.

***Axel Rudakubana carried out the Southport knife attack***

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 21. He indicated a guilty plea to a single charge of possessing a document useful for terrorism. Sentencing was adjourned to a later date.

The court heard how the youth, who lived with his parents in a village near Cwmbran, had told others on Snapchat that he was planning an attack similar to Rudakubana’s, which saw three girls aged six, seven and nine killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July last year.

He had saved a note on his phone titled “places to attack”, containing images of a nearby dance school and walking directions from his home. Police also recovered messages from April 19 in which he sent a picture of a large knife to a friend, asking: “Would this work?”

Other targets he considered included his own school. He also suggested on Snapchat that he wanted to carry out an attack at the Oasis comeback concert in Cardiff.

One of his online contacts alerted the authorities, and on June 2, following concerns raised by his family, the teenager spoke to a counsellor and disclosed his intention to commit a “Rudakubana-style” attack. This led to a second referral to the police.

Investigators discovered that later the same morning, he had transferred an al-Qaeda manual between phones. During interviews, he admitted to having recurring thoughts of committing attacks, but claimed he never intended to follow through with them.

The youth remains in custody ahead of sentencing.

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

16 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

17 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

18 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.