Crime

Juror denies misconduct over collapsed school stabbing trial

Published

9 months ago

August 29, 2025

A JUROR accused of misconduct after the collapse of a school stabbing trial has appeared in court.

Christopher Elias, aged 45, of Waunceirch, Neath Port Talbot, is alleged to have failed to disclose a personal connection to someone involved in the case and to have previously been a pupil at the school where the incident happened.

The charge relates to the first trial of a 13-year-old girl who stabbed two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Carmarthenshire, in April 2024. That trial was halted in October 2024 after the judge ruled there had been a “great irregularity in the jury.”

Prosecutors allege Elias used his knowledge of the school and individuals connected to the case to try to influence fellow jurors. He has denied a single charge of engaging in prohibited conduct while serving on a jury.

The girl was retried and in April this year was convicted of three counts of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years’ detention.

Elias’s case will be transferred to a crown court in England, with a trial date still to be fixed. He was granted unconditional bail until 26 September.

Pictured: Air Ambulances at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Carmarthenshire, in April 2024

Crime

Man used vulnerable victim’s bank card at Milford Haven Tesco

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been given a suspended prison sentence after using a vulnerable man’s bank card at Tesco Extra in Milford Haven.

Mark Anthony Hambrook, of Keeston, admitted fraud by false representation when he appeared before magistrates.

The court heard that Hambrook dishonestly used the card on April 29, 2025, spending £220.

Magistrates said the offence crossed the custody threshold because it involved a breach of trust, a vulnerable victim, and was committed while Hambrook was on post-sentence supervision.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Hambrook was also ordered to pay £220 compensation, together with a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Cilgerran man denies breaching court ban on keeping animals

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Court Reporter

39-year-old accused of keeping a dog despite court-imposed disqualification order dating back to 2019

A CILGERRAN man has denied breaching a court-imposed ban on keeping animals.

Max Huntley, 39, of Castell Corwg, Cilgerran, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 14) for a further case management hearing.

He is accused of breaching a disqualification order imposed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The court register states that Huntley was disqualified following conviction and sentence at Swansea Crown Court on March 14, 2019, for an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.

The allegation now before the court is that, on or about August 10, 2025, at Castell Corwg, Cilgerran, he breached that disqualification by having custody of a dog.

Huntley has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The case was adjourned to allow the prosecution to confirm details relating to the defendant and how a solicitor could contact him.

He was remanded on unconditional bail and must attend the next hearing at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 27, at 10:00am.

The hearing is listed for further case management and is expected to last around 20 minutes.