Crime

Jury sworn as judge considers whether Tenby baby death trial can proceed

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

A JURY has been sworn at Swansea Crown Court in the trial of a man accused of causing the death of a baby in a Tenby car park, as the defence immediately applied for the case to be stopped on the basis that there is no case to answer.

The defendant, Flaviu Naghi, 34, formerly of Leigh and now of Luton, faces a two-count indictment following an incident on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at a multi-storey car park on Upper Park Road, Tenby.

Count one alleges causing death by dangerous driving.
Count two alleges causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drugs.

The charges relate to the death of six-month-old Sophia Kelemen.

It is alleged that at the time of the incident, Naghi had in his body a specified controlled drug — benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine — at a concentration of 236 micrograms per litre of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 50 micrograms.

Naghi has pleaded not guilty to both counts.

Jury sworn in

On Tuesday (Jan 6), jurors were sworn and addressed by Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards, who explained their responsibilities and warned them not to carry out any private research or discuss the case outside the jury room.

They were told that verdicts must be based solely on evidence heard in court and that any breach of those rules could amount to a criminal offence.

After the jury was sent out, the court heard legal submissions in their absence.

Defence: no case to answer

Defence counsel John Hipkin KC made a formal submission of no case to answer, arguing that there is insufficient evidence that Naghi was “driving” the vehicle within the meaning of the law.

The court was told that the defence position is that Naghi’s only interaction with the vehicle was turning the ignition key after being handed the keys in order to warm the car.

It was submitted that:

Naghi had no intention of moving the vehicle.
He did not release the handbrake.
Physical testing and expert analysis of CCTV do not support any suggestion that he did.
He was outside the vehicle when it began to move.
He was unable to reach the foot brake or handbrake.

Defence counsel told the court that the incident unfolded “in the blink of an eye”, and that Naghi tried unsuccessfully to stop the vehicle but was physically unable to do so.

It was argued that starting an engine cannot, of itself, amount to driving, and that a failure to gain control of a moving vehicle cannot be treated as driving in law.

Reference was made to a written ruling given by the judge the previous day, in which she stated that directions could not be given to a jury on the basis that a person who fails to gain control of a vehicle can therefore be said to be driving it.

Prosecution: actions form a “continuum”

Prosecuting counsel Tom Crowther KC responded that Naghi’s actions must be considered as a whole, forming a continuous course of conduct.

The Crown submitted that:

Naghi used a driver’s control — namely the ignition.
The vehicle moved forward under engine power as a direct result of his actions.
His conduct should be viewed from the moment he turned the key to the moment of collision.

While accepting that starting the engine alone would not necessarily amount to driving, the prosecution argued that in the circumstances of this case the actions were indivisible and amounted to driving.

Judge reserves ruling

Judge Richards said she would not rule on the submission that afternoon, describing it as a significant issue of law requiring careful consideration.

She noted that depending on her decision, the prosecution may need time to consider its position.

The jury was dismissed until Thursday, when the judge said she would deliver her ruling.

The trial remains ongoing.

(Cover image: PA)

Crime

Boyfriend torched partner’s clothes after drunken row, court hears

Published

4 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Court Reporter

Judge tells 20-year-old arsonist to “grow up” after dangerous outburst

A YOUNG man who set fire to his girlfriend’s clothes following a drunken argument was told by a judge to “grow up” after admitting arson.

Callum Rees, aged 20, had been living with his partner of four months at an address in Johnston when the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday (June 16).

Prosecutor Brian Simpson told Swansea Crown Court that Rees returned home shortly after midnight after drinking with friends. An argument quickly developed between the couple, prompting his partner to leave the property to allow tensions to ease.

When she later returned, the house was filled with smoke.

Mr Simpson said Rees had gathered a pile of his partner’s clothes inside the property and deliberately set them alight.

Police were called at around 1.20am. As officers attended the scene, they spotted Rees walking nearby and arrested him.

During interview, Rees told officers he had started the fire after an argument in which his partner refused to return his passport and wallet. He claimed he extinguished the flames himself after realising the seriousness of what he had done.

Rees, of St Peters Road, Johnston, pleaded guilty to arson.

Defence barrister Jon Tarrant said his client was of previous good character and had no prior convictions.

“Although a fire was started, it was small in scale and the defendant stamped it out almost immediately,” he said.

Sentencing Rees, Paul Thomas KC was highly critical of his behaviour.

“He’s 20 years old but acting like a 14-year-old,” the judge remarked.

Addressing Rees directly, Judge Thomas added: “What you did was spiteful, foolish, and potentially very dangerous. You are fortunate that your former partner no longer supports this prosecution.”

Crime

Motorist given interim ban after crash leaves passenger with serious neck injury

Published

22 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Victim tells court collision ended her career and caused lasting trauma

A 75-YEAR-OLD motorist has been given an interim driving ban after driving into the path of an oncoming vehicle near the entrance to the Mayfield Driving Range in Freystrop.

Anthony Davey was driving his Skoda Fabia into the entrance of the Mayfield Golf Centre on the afternoon of Saturday (Mar 9) when he collided with a Hyundai, in which Katy Sanderson was a front-seat passenger.

As a result of the impact, Ms Anderson suffered a fractured neck bone, requiring extensive hospital treatment and ultimately leading to the loss of her career.

“It was a clear, sunny day and both vehicles were extensively damaged,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“Following the collision, the defendant could be heard saying: ‘I didn’t see you.’”

A victim impact statement was read to the court in which Ms Anderson described the physical, emotional and financial consequences of the crash.

“The hospital process was long, and when I discharged myself I was placed in a hard neck brace for 14 weeks and was unable to bathe, wash myself, or do anything alone,” she said.

“I am a single parent to two children under the age of 18, and this has been unbelievably difficult.

“I couldn’t watch my sons play football or continue my work as a support worker. I had to rely on sick pay and was unable to return to the job I had done for over 20 years, which has now led to unemployment. This has caused me great depression.”

Davey, of Milner Cottage, Herbrandston, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless and inconsiderate driving.

Sentencing was adjourned until Tuesday (Jan 28) to allow probation reports to be prepared. Davey was released on unconditional bail, with an interim driving disqualification imposed.

Crime

Prolific shoplifter jailed after stealing nearly £300 of goods from Cardigan store

Published

22 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

District judge says custody was only option due to persistent offending

A PROLIFIC north Pembrokeshire shoplifter has been jailed after stealing almost £300 worth of goods from a B&M store in Cardigan.

Andrew O’Connell, 38, was seen entering the store on Sunday (Jan 5) before leaving carrying two large carrier bags.

“Both bags were full of items, including groceries and electrical goods,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

O’Connell walked along Aberystwyth Road before being arrested by police at the bus stop adjacent to the Tesco store.

O’Connell pleaded guilty to the B&M theft and to stealing a van containing two dogs from John Street car park in Carmarthen in June 2024.

“The van was owned by Richard Bramley, who was a stallholder at the street market adjacent to Marks and Spencer in Carmarthen,” Ms James said.

“He had left his two dogs inside the van, along with stock for his plant stall, and the vehicle was unlocked. When he returned a short time later, the van had gone.

“He was emotionally distressed and particularly concerned about the whereabouts of the dogs.”

Street CCTV footage traced the vehicle, which was later recovered by police. The court was told that nothing had been stolen from the van and both dogs were returned to their owner unharmed.

O’Connell was represented by solicitor Alan Lewis.

“Money was tight after Christmas, so he went to B&M and took the items,” Mr Lewis said. “All of the goods were later recovered.”

Mr Lewis told the court that O’Connell’s offending began around three years ago following the death of his mother.

“This affected him deeply,” he said. “Around the same time, he separated from his partner, and that is when drug and alcohol misuse began, which he is now trying to address.

“Prior to this, he was supervising adults at a care farm, so this represents a significant fall from grace. It is very sad.”

However, probation officer Julie Norman said repeated attempts to support O’Connell had been ignored.

Sentencing him to eight weeks in custody, District Judge Layton said O’Connell’s record left the court with no alternative.

“Your pattern of offending shows you are constantly going into shops and stealing,” he said. “There is no slowdown in your behaviour, so the only option is custody.”

O’Connell was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 in costs.