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Crime

Attorney General orders review into Haverfordwest-linked killer’s case

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THE Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) approach to the Nottingham stabbing case has come under scrutiny as Attorney General Victoria Prentis orders an independent review, following assurances from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to the victims’ families that they will receive the answers they seek.

The focus of the investigation, announced on Tuesday, is the CPS’s acceptance of Valdo Calocane’s guilty pleas to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. Calocane, 32, was responsible for the fatal stabbings of students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates in Nottingham on June 13 last year. The review will also assess whether the CPS adequately consulted the victims’ families during the process.

Last week, Calocane, who was brought up in Haverfordwest, and whose family is believed to still reside in Pembrokeshire, was sentenced to a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility. This decision followed a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, as heard in Nottingham’s crown court. The sentence was met with dismay from Mr. Webber’s family, who described it as a “huge insult” and called for a public inquiry.

Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, voiced her frustration after the sentencing, stating that the families were presented with a “fait accompli” regarding the manslaughter charges when they met the CPS in November, with no prior indication that the charges could be anything other than murder.

The urgent review, led by His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, was ordered by Ms. Prentis to investigate the concerns raised by the families. Prime Minister Sunak, in an interview with ITV’s ‘This Morning’, outlined the government’s response, including independent investigations into the roles of various Nottingham institutions and potential missed opportunities to prevent Calocane’s actions.

Mr. Sunak maintained that an inquiry might still be considered necessary after the conclusion of these investigations. He emphasised the government’s commitment to thoroughly and promptly addressing the families’ questions regarding the operations of the NHS, police, and the CPS.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman indicated Mr. Sunak’s openness to an inquiry. Notably, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire police have self-referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner has initiated a comprehensive review by the College of Policing.

This scrutiny follows revelations that police failed to arrest Calocane for an alleged attack on two individuals weeks before the stabbings. Additionally, a special review has been ordered into the mental health trust involved in his treatment prior to the killings.

In a statement, Ms. Prentis expressed her horror at the deaths of Webber, O’Malley-Kumar, and Coates, acknowledging the families’ need for clarity. She assured a prompt and comprehensive review of CPS actions to address the concerns raised in this tragic case. The findings are expected by Easter, with the Attorney General’s Office committed to implementing any recommendations swiftly.

A CPS spokesperson confirmed their full cooperation with the review. Furthermore, Ms. Prentis is considering a judicial review of Calocane’s sentence following a submission that it may be unduly lenient.

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Crime

Dangerous dogs warrant executed by police in Carmarthenshire

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POLICE have confirmed that a warrant under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was executed by Dyfed-Powys Police and the RSPCA at a property in Cefneithin Road, Gorslas, Carmarthenshire on Saturday, April 27.

Two prohibited dogs were removed from the premises, and an investigation is ongoing between the two agencies.

At the time of writing, please said that no arrests made.

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Crime

Plea hearing for man accused of assault and strangulation

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A HAVERFORDWEST man is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, April 26) charged with assaulting and strangling a woman

Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences last month, and is in Swansea Crown Court today to make his plea, after the local court declined jurisdiction.

Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23 and caused her actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of strangling her.

The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25 and Torkington has been remanded in custody since then.

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Crime

Teenage girl in court charged with three counts of attempted murder

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A 13-YEAR-OLD appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court this morning, in connection to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on Wednesday.

She was charged with three counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place.

No pleas were entered, and she was remanded into a youth detention centre until a future court hearing at Swansea Crown Court.

Criminal proceedings are active in respect of this case, and we ask members of the community not to speculate or comment on the circumstances.

On Thursday (Apr 25), the police confirmed that a teenager had been charged in relation to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman yesterday.

Police were called to the school at around 11.20am, following reports that three people had been injured.

Two teachers and a pupil were taken to hospital with stab wounds. They received treatment for knife injuries, have all since been discharged.

A CID-led investigation was launched, and there has continued to be a police presence at the school today as we gather evidence to assist our enquiries.

Police also said: “Yesterday evening, our control room received a number of calls reporting concerns over messages being shared on social media, which had references to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
Officers swiftly carried out a warrant at the home of the person believed to be responsible for this content, and a 15-year-old male was arrested.

He also remains in police custody while we investigate these allegations.”

At a press conference outside the school, also on Thursday, Superintendent Ross Evans said: “While this investigation is being run separately to our enquiries into events at the school, our officers are seeking to establish if there was a connection between the alleged offences.

“Again, I would urge people not to speculate, not to share any images or videos relating to either investigation, and to allow us to carry out our enquiries fully.

“If you, or your children, are distressed by these events, please seek support from an appropriate agency.

“Finally, I would once again like to thank our colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance Service for their swift response to this incident, as well as the NHS staff who treated those who were injured, the charitable organisations who are supporting those affected by this incident, and the vigilant members of the public who reported their concerns to us.”

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has confirmed that it will re-open to pupils on Monday, 29 April. Carmarthenshire County Council and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman would like to reassure the school community, in anticipation of the school reopening, that a broad range of wellbeing support will continue to be offered to pupils, teachers and staff at the school.

From Monday, 29 April, a dedicated Education and Child Psychology Team from the Council will be available for pupils and staff and will maintain a presence at the school, for the next two weeks, to provide ongoing support and assistance as needed.

Upon the school’s reopening, counselling will be available for pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman to offer support and guidance to students facing difficulties.

The Council’s internal Occupational Health Team, in collaboration with the Education Department, is working to provide comprehensive support for affected staff members. This will entail offering wellbeing support sessions, drop-in sessions, group sessions, and referrals for 1:1 therapeutic support as needed.

Carmarthenshire County Council is grateful to the numerous offers of support from external agencies to provide additional assistance for our students during this time. We are carefully considering how and when to use these services.

Council Leader, Cllr. Darren Price said: “As a County Council, we are doing everything that we can to support the community of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and we have set out a wellbeing support plan to help the pupils and staff.

“This will be a joint support approach, as we are adopting a collaborative approach to ensure that all individuals affected receive the support they require. This includes coordinating between internal and external resources to provide holistic assistance.”

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