A SCHOOL first aider has told a jury that teacher Vicki Williams was “crying, shaking” and in “complete shock” after allegedly being stabbed in the head at Milford Haven Comprehensive School.

Mrs Walters Jones, the school’s main first aider and medical coordinator, gave evidence at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday morning as the trial of a 15-year-old defendant continued.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, denies attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding. He has admitted possessing a bladed article on school premises.

Mrs Jones told the court that a colleague came to her office before another person ran in asking for help.

She went to the H2 classroom, where she found Mrs Williams sitting at a pupil’s desk, distressed and bleeding from injuries to her head and hand.

“She was upset, crying, shaking,” Mrs Jones told the jury.

“Her whole body was in complete shock.”

The court heard Mrs Jones provided treatment to Mrs Williams, who told her she had been attacked with a knife.

Mrs Jones said Mrs Williams told her the defendant had been acting “strange” and “weird”, and that she felt unsafe and did not want to turn around.

The jury heard the school was placed into lockdown following the incident.

Mrs Jones said she was the person who called police, but had to pass the phone to a colleague because she “couldn’t get my words out”.

The knife allegedly used in the incident was produced in court and shown to the witness, judge and jury.

Mrs Jones said she cleaned through Mrs Williams’ hair to assess the head wound, and described the injuries to her hands as “erratic”.

The court also heard evidence from Stephen Martin, the school’s inclusion and behaviour manager.

He told the jury he heard a message over the radio that something had happened and later saw Mrs Williams with blood on her hands, running down the side of her face and onto her T-shirt.

Mr Martin said Mrs Williams was “distressed, scared, shocked” and confused.

He told the court Mrs Williams said she did not know why she had been attacked or what she had done wrong.

Under questioning, Mr Martin confirmed there was no recorded conflict between Mrs Williams and the defendant.

The trial continues before Judge Paul Thomas KC.

Andrew RT Davies says Wales’ pandemic response must face a statutory inquiry with the power to compel witnesses and evidence

A ROW has broken out over whether Wales’ promised Covid review will have the legal powers needed to compel witnesses and evidence.

Welsh Conservative Senedd member Andrew RT Davies has challenged the Welsh Government to confirm whether its review of the pandemic response will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005.

Such a move would give the process statutory powers, including the ability to require documents to be produced and witnesses to give evidence.

But in a written answer published by the Senedd, Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor did not provide that assurance.

Mr Davies asked: “Will the Welsh Government’s Covid review be regulated under the Inquiries Act 2005 with the power to compel evidence and witnesses?”

Mr ap Gwynfor replied: “We will be updating the Senedd on the Covid-19 review in due course.”

The brief response has raised fresh questions over whether the Welsh Government intends to hold a full statutory inquiry, or a more limited review into Wales’ handling of the pandemic.

The distinction is significant. A statutory inquiry has legal powers to compel evidence, while a review not placed on a statutory footing would be more dependent on voluntary cooperation from ministers, officials and public bodies.

Calls for a Wales-specific Covid inquiry have continued for several years, with bereaved families and opposition politicians arguing that decisions made in Wales by Welsh ministers require detailed scrutiny in Wales.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has examined Welsh decision-making as part of its wider work, but campaigners have repeatedly argued that a UK-wide process cannot fully address Wales-specific issues, including care homes, schools, NHS preparedness, lockdown rules, public messaging and decisions taken by the Welsh Government.

Plaid Cymru previously supported calls for a Wales-specific Covid inquiry while in opposition. However, ministers are now referring to a review of Wales’ Covid response, prompting claims from the Conservatives that the party has softened its position since entering government.

Mr Davies said: “A serious lack of accountability exists within the devolved administrations.

“The Covid-19 response in Wales was exclusively the responsibility of Senedd ministers, yet they’ve continually refused to hold an inquiry.

“A mere review will be insufficient. Wales needs an inquiry with full statutory powers.”

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government to clarify whether the Covid-19 review will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005, and whether it will have powers to compel witnesses and evidence.

The Welsh Government has previously said it will update the Senedd on the Covid-19 review in due course.

Plans include same-day mental health support, a National Care Service for Wales and action on women’s health

PLANS to improve access to social care, provide same-day mental health support and strengthen women’s health services have been outlined by the Welsh Government.

Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health Delyth Jewell said she wanted to give greater prominence to areas which she believes have not received the attention they deserve.

Her priorities include progressing plans for a National Care Service for Wales, with the ambition of delivering social care that is free at the point of need.

The Deputy Minister also said safeguarding arrangements would be strengthened to better protect children and adults at risk.

Mental health services are set to move towards a model of open-access, same-day support, with 21 demonstrator sites already underway and further rollout planned.

The Welsh Government said future action on dementia will also be set out in a new Dementia Strategy for Wales, focusing on brain health, earlier diagnosis and improved support.

A Women’s Health Summit will also be held later this month, bringing together women with lived experience and clinicians.

The summit will focus on tackling the normalisation of pain, with work already underway to improve endometriosis and abortion services, as well as maternity safety and support for families who experience the loss of a baby.

Delyth Jewell said: “I want to help shine a light onto areas that haven’t had the focus they are due.

“On mental health, women’s health, and yes, the social care system that for too long has been undervalued.

“These areas deserve more attention and prominence. They deserve a voice in the heart of government, and I promise I will give that to them.”