Crime

Schoolgirl who stabbed teachers had been considered for Prevent referral

Published

5 months ago

August 27, 2025

Review finds agencies failed to share Adolf Hitler concerns before knife attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

A SCHOOLGIRL who stabbed two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Carmarthenshire had previously been considered for referral to the Government’s Prevent programme, according to a serious case review published this week.

The report found that the 13-year-old, known as Child A, displayed an unusual fascination with Adolf Hitler, war memorabilia and weapons. She also claimed to speak German and Russian and was described by professionals as “quirky” and “not quite fitting in.”

Two years before the attack, concerns about her behaviour were known to several agencies, but information was not effectively shared between them.

Knife incidents before attack

The girl had previously brought a ball-bearing gun to a different school and was later suspended at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman after a knife was discovered in her bag. At one stage she also threatened to use a knife against another pupil.

Following these incidents, a referral to Prevent was discussed by agencies but not pursued. Instead, an “early help” assessment was recommended to understand her needs. The review records that her father declined this support, saying he believed professionals did not understand his daughter.

As part of a safety plan after her suspension, he agreed to check her school bag each morning. However, on the day of the attack she left home early, before the bag check could be done.

April 2024 stabbing

On 24 April 2024, the girl smuggled her father’s multi-tool into school. She stabbed assistant headteacher Fiona Elias and additional needs teacher Liz Hopkin, as well as a pupil, before being restrained.

During her arrest she told officers: “That’s one way to be a celebrity. I’m pretty sure this is going to be on the news, so more eyes will be looking at me.”

She was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of three counts of attempted murder and in April this year was sentenced to 15 years’ detention.

Missed opportunities

The review, commissioned by Carmarthenshire County Council and the Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Board, concluded that while there were clear concerns about her state of mind, no agency could have predicted the scale of violence she went on to commit.

Report author Gladys Rhodes White wrote: “Each agency had their own pieces of the jigsaw. When collated, there is a much clearer picture of the concerns around Child A’s behaviour. However, no information held at the time could have foreseen the shocking events which unfolded.”

She also said the case highlighted a gap in provision for children who do not meet Prevent thresholds but nonetheless pose risks, particularly when families decline voluntary help.

The review added that pupils at the school were aware she had a knife on the day of the attack but did not tell staff.

Father’s criticism

Child A’s father told the review he felt services had “let her down” and said he had sought help for her emotional and behavioural problems without success. He added that he had been consistent in carrying out bag checks but regretted not being able to do so on the morning of the attack.

He said: “Agencies didn’t listen to me or my child when we needed help.”

Recommendations

The report calls for stronger information-sharing between schools, health, police and safeguarding services, especially when a child transfers between schools, and greater consideration of how to support children whose behaviours raise concerns but who do not fall under statutory schemes.

In a joint statement, Carmarthenshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman said: “We acknowledge the difficult circumstances faced by the victims and the school community. We pay tribute to the pupils, staff and parents whose resilience has enabled learning to continue in a safe and supportive environment.”

Crime

Two arrested after high-value shoplifting incident in Kilgetty

Published

5 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a rapid police response to a reported high-value theft at a supermarket in Kilgetty.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Co-op store at around 3.35pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), after a report that a large quantity of alcohol and other items had been stolen.

Using information provided by the caller, Roads Policing Unit officers worked closely with control room staff to identify a vehicle believed to be involved. Several patrol cars were deployed, and the vehicle was located a short time later travelling east.

Police said the safety of all those involved was treated as a priority, with specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice obtained while officers maintained constant observation of the vehicle.

The car was brought to a safe stop on a back road approaching Hendy, involving three Roads Policing Unit vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported.

Following roadside checks, two men — aged 67 and 46 — were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop.

Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police said the swift response helped prevent further offending and demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist roads policing officers acting on real-time intelligence.

Business

Eight-year prison sentence after vehicle stop uncovers drugs worth over £150,000

Published

6 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Court Reporter

A ROUTINE vehicle stop by roads policing officers has led to an eight-year prison sentence after more than £150,000 worth of illegal drugs were discovered in a car in Pembrokeshire.

On Friday, January 2, officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Hoyland Road, Pembroke. The vehicle was being driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.

During the stop, Evans told officers they would find “stuff” in the car. He and the vehicle were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A search of the boot uncovered a cardboard box containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine and ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be well in excess of £150,000.

Evans was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 3.

On Thursday, January 28, Evans was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

DC Jones, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Tackling the supply of illegal drugs is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the misery that illegal drugs bring to local communities will not be tolerated.

“We welcome the sentence passed to Dean Evans, given the large quantity of harmful drugs he was caught trafficking into Pembrokeshire.

“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal drugs trade in Dyfed and Powys.”

Crime

Former soldier jailed for stalking police officer over past arrest

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant tracked down officer’s home address and sent threatening messages

A FORMER serviceman has been sent to prison after tracking down and harassing a police officer who had arrested him two years earlier.

Gareth Nicholas, aged 41, from Waunarlwydd in Swansea, targeted the officer by discovering his home address and sending a threatening message via Facebook, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The officer had been part of a police team that executed a Scottish arrest warrant at Nicholas’s home in May 2023. Two years later, in August 2025, the officer received an unexpected friend request on social media, followed shortly afterwards by a message that immediately caused concern.

The message began with the words “I found you” and accused the officer of unlawfully entering Nicholas’s property, assaulting him while he was in his underwear, and “abducting” him. Nicholas also claimed he had identified a pattern of corrupt behaviour within the police and issued a veiled threat, stating: “I will catch you down the Liberty son. Look forward to it,” a reference to Swansea City’s former stadium.

The situation escalated further days later when a handwritten letter was delivered to the officer’s former address. The new occupant contacted the officer to alert him to the letter, which repeated allegations of corruption and suggested the matter could be dropped if the officer assisted in exposing alleged police misconduct.

Nicholas was arrested on September 3 and admitted sending the communications, but denied at the time that his actions amounted to stalking.

In evidence, the officer told the court that while he had faced verbal abuse during his policing career, this incident felt different and deeply personal. He said his family installed CCTV cameras, security lighting and fencing, and put safety plans in place for their children. He added that he feared Nicholas had not let go of his perceived injustice and remained concerned the behaviour could continue.

The court heard Nicholas has a substantial criminal record in Scotland between 2019 and 2024, including convictions for stalking, malicious communications, threatening behaviour, domestic abuse offences and possession of ammunition without a licence.

Sentencing Nicholas, Judge Huw Rees acknowledged the trauma the defendant had experienced during military service, but warned him not to repeat the behaviour.

Nicholas, who appeared unrepresented, pleaded guilty to stalking and was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, reduced by 20 per cent for his early guilty plea. Having already served time on remand, his release is expected shortly. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order banning any contact with the officer.