News

Liberal Democrats hit out at ‘immature’ Swansea MP

Published

2 months ago

September 30, 2025

THE WELSH Liberal Democrats have criticised UK Labour Treasury Minister & Swansea West MP Torsten Bell after he described Ed Davey as a “fat bloke in a wetsuit” at a Labour event.

At a time when Swansea and Wales face pressing challenges from the cost-of-living crisis to NHS waiting times and housing shortages the Welsh Lib Dems stated that residents deserve seriousness and respect from their elected representatives, not playground insults.

The Lib Dems have highlighted that Mr Bell was parachuted into Swansea West last year by Labour’s central machine, despite having little connection to the community. Since his election, concerns have grown that he has been more focused on building his Westminster profile than on working with local groups and tackling Swansea’s issues.

They have also criticised his hypocritical stance on welfare and social justice.

At the Resolution Foundation Bell loudly condemned the two-child benefit cap as “immoral” and urged its abolition. Yet in Westminster he has fallen into line, voting to keep the cap and defending benefit cuts from the front bench.

Cllr Sam Bennett, Welsh Lib Dem Councillor in Swansea and Senedd Candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe, said: “Swansea expects more from someone in national office. Swansea West deserves an MP who works with the community and shows respect, not one who hides behind childish jibes.

“Mr Bell should apologise and focus on serving the people who sent him to Westminster, not scoring headlines and climbing the greasy poll of Whitehall.

“Meanwhile the Lib Dems will keep holding Labour to account on policies like the two child benefit cap, Winter fuel allowance and river pollution and we will do it without descending into childish insults.”

Crime

Milford Haven man sent to Crown Court on GBH charge

Published

24 minutes ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

41-year-old accused of wounding woman with intent in or outside The Vibe public house

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court after appearing before magistrates charged with wounding a woman with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in or outside The Vibe pub, Charles Street, Milford Haven on Saturday, November 15, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum, represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, gave no plea at the first hearing.

The prosecution was led by Nia James, and the bench was made up of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the allegation and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

McCallum was remanded on conditional bail. His bail conditions include:

A curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, monitored electronically.
Not to contact, directly or indirectly, two witnesses in the case.
Not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

He must next appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence report was ordered, and no indication was given regarding a victim personal statement.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

32 minutes ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.

Crime

Motorcyclist to return to court over Dinas Cross crash that seriously injured woman

Published

35 minutes ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Case adjourned after part-heard trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court

A MAN accused of causing serious injury to a woman by careless driving on the A487 at Dinas Cross will return to court next month after his trial was adjourned part-heard.

Aleksandrs Lohins, 61, of Mayfield Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, is charged with causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act. The allegation relates to a collision on April 9, 2023, in which motorcyclist Anna Titorchuk suffered serious injuries.

Lohins is alleged to have been riding a Honda GL-1800 motorcycle, registration WJ05 MDE, without due care and attention when the incident occurred.

The trial began at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17), with a bench comprising Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. Lohins was represented by defence solicitor Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

After hearing evidence, magistrates adjourned the case part-heard.

Lohins remains on unconditional bail.

The matter will resume at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 8, 2025, at 11:00am, in Courtroom 1. The hearing is listed for an estimated 20 minutes, and the defendant must attend.