A WEST WALES man who tied up a family and robbed them at knifepoint in their own home has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Larry Black, aged 38, from Swansea was one of two masked men who forced their way into a house in Llansamlet, brandishing a hammer and knives. The pair subjected the family to a terrifying ordeal, tying them up before stealing £500 in cash and a set of car keys.

Black, who has refused to reveal the identity of his accomplice, was caught following a detailed investigation by South Wales Police detectives. Officers tracked him down after gathering forensic and witness evidence linking him to the scene.

Despite the seriousness of the offence, the court heard that Black has shown no remorse for his actions and has declined to cooperate with police efforts to identify the second suspect.

He was handed an extended 13-year sentence, which includes time in custody and on licence, in recognition of the danger he poses to the public.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims, who were targeted in the safety of their own home. Thanks to the work of our officers, a dangerous individual is now off the streets.”

Anyone with information about the second suspect involved in the robbery is urged to contact South Wales Police.

ST DAVIDS lifeboat crews were paged by HM Coastguard at 5:23pm on Thursday (May 15) following reports of three people in the water and an inflatable being blown out to sea at Caerfai Bay.

Both the all-weather lifeboat and the inshore lifeboat launched promptly in response to the emergency call.

However, upon arrival, crews found that the three individuals were safe and well, enjoying an evening of snorkelling and fishing. The reported inflatable was identified as a surface marker buoy, anchored securely to the sea bed.

The launch was classified as a false alarm with good intent. The St Davids Coastguard Rescue Team was also in attendance and later shared a photo of the volunteer RNLI crews returning to station.

THE WELSH Conservatives’ new education priorities have come under fire from a leading school leaders’ union, which described the plans as “tabloid headlines” disconnected from the real challenges facing Welsh schools.

Ahead of the party’s conference in Llangollen on Friday (May 17), the Conservatives outlined a series of pledges that include banning mobile phones in classrooms, reintroducing home economics, and allowing schools to convert to academy status – a system currently used in England but not in Wales.

Laura Doel, national secretary of NAHT Cymru, was critical of the proposals, saying: “The Welsh Conservatives’ priorities read more like tabloid headlines than carefully considered policies for improving children’s education. They are completely out of touch with reality.”

Doel argued that many of the proposals were unnecessary, pointing out that home economics remains part of the curriculum under different guises, and that most schools already have effective mobile phone policies. She also dismissed the call for academies, saying: “Changing the name above a school doesn’t change the quality of teaching or experience of the pupils in it.”

She added that the key concerns among school leaders remain unresolved: “Our members’ priorities are funding, the recruitment and retention of teachers, ALN reform, conditions of service for teachers and leaders, and support for small schools.”

However, some of the Conservative proposals may reflect broader concerns among parents and communities. Recent surveys have shown public unease about classroom discipline, digital distraction, and pupil safety – concerns the Conservatives appear keen to address with more uniform policy approaches.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives said their priorities were based on “what parents are telling us,” and insisted that schools needed “a clear framework for excellence, not excuses for underperformance.”

They added: “We want to empower schools, ensure pupils are learning practical life skills, and put an end to the distractions that undermine classroom discipline.”

The debate comes as Welsh schools continue to adapt to the new Curriculum for Wales, amid ongoing concerns about funding pressures, teacher workloads, and falling attainment in some core subjects. A recent Estyn report found that while many schools are innovating effectively, others face “significant challenges” in delivering consistent standards.

As the Welsh education debate heats up in the run-up to the next Senedd election, all parties are expected to face scrutiny over how they plan to address long-standing structural issues in the system.