Crime
Former teacher sentenced for assaulting child in Ysgol Caer Elen’s playground
A FORMER Ysgol Caer Elen teacher has appeared before magistrates for sentence after admitting assaulting a ten-year-old child in the school playground.
The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was seen running away from Samuel Jones on the morning of November 14 as he played with his friends on the school playground.
In a police statement given by one of the school’s pastoral behaviour support officers, she described the child as being ‘cheeky’.
“He was being cheeky to Mr Jones, who kept telling him to stop being silly and to give the ball back,” she said.
“The boy had kicked the girls’ ball over the fence and he was refusing to give it back. He kept saying ‘No’.
“Mr Jones kept telling him to give back the ball and shouted at him, but [the child] kept refusing.
“It had turned into a cat and mouse chase and [the child] was laughing and smirking and trying to dodge Mr Jones as he tried to stop him.”
As the child attempted to run past Samuel Jones, who have his address as Hayston View, Johnston the 40-year-old reached out and grabbed him by the back of his jumper.
“He had it around the shoulders and mid sleeves, and the child was bent forwards as he’d been running. But then he got loose and ran off again.”
The child ran towards a group of boys, and once again Mr Jones reached out to grab him.
“By now the boys were all calling him names, saying he was a child abuser and a paedo,” the pastoral behaviour support officer said in her statement.
“The child was also seen rubbing his jumper back and forth across the back of his neck. I don’t know if the mark on his neck was a result of this, or was simply made worse by the way he kept rubbing his jumper”
Mr Jones then left the playground and when he returned, the boys began calling him names.
“One of the boys was heard calling him a fat c***,” the support officer said in her statement.
Jones, 40, of Hayston View, Johnston pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
He was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.
“This is the difficulty that a teacher or a learning assistant has these days,” he said. “When a child is being cheeky, rude or refusing to do what he is being asked to do, an adult should avoid touching the pupil.
“My client is mortified at what occurred and has since resigned from the teaching profession -so we’ve lost a teacher.
“The children were heard saying ‘We’ll make sure you’ll be in trouble for this’, and unfortunately this is what’s happened.”
After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Jones £400 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £160 surcharge.
No compensation order was made against the victim.
“We have considered it, but we don’t deem compensation appropriate,” commented the presiding magistrate when passing sentence.
Crime
Police deliver bespoke training to protect young people during nights out
DYFED-POWYS POLICE said this week that they are delivering tailored vulnerability training to colleges and universities, aiming to safeguard students most at risk of sexual violence in the nighttime economy.
The programme specifically targets students aged 16 to 23, a group identified as being disproportionately affected by gender-based violence. This initiative delivers two strands of work: training for staff and teachers to help them identify risks and respond to disclosures, and interactive sessions for students to equip them with tools to recognise and respond to harassment and violence.
Focus on staff and students
Superintendent Chris Neve, Dyfed-Powys Police’s prevention lead, explained:
“As part of our prevention work, we’ve identified a group – namely college and university students – who are at high risk of sexual harassment and violence while out at night. This programme seeks to equip both students and those who work with them with the knowledge they need to stay safe.
“Our aim is to empower young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to recognise and respond to sexual harassment and violence. By working closely with educators and student services, we can also ensure that staff are well-prepared to support victims and address inappropriate behaviours effectively.
“We are committed to ending violence against women and girls, and to achieve this, the entire community must work together. This project forms part of a wider strategy spanning generations, from schoolchildren to police officers and our partners.”
Positive engagement and results
So far, over 600 students have participated in awareness events, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Staff report increased confidence in handling disclosures, while students found advice on spotting potential offenders invaluable.
The programme also includes workshops on sextortion, focusing on identifying offences, reporting procedures, and accessing support. Upcoming online events will provide more in-depth guidance on managing disclosures and staying safe on social media.
Collaborative approach
Dafydd Llywelyn, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, said:
“It is vital that we provide key information to young people and staff in educational settings across Dyfed-Powys. For meaningful change to happen, we must all play our part.”
The Dyfed-Powys Police Upstander Programme is jointly funded by the Home Office Safer Streets 5 fund, aiming to foster attitudinal and behavioural changes to combat violence against women and girls while creating safe community spaces.
In addition to the student-focused training, Dyfed-Powys Police are running several complementary initiatives:
- Vulnerability and awareness training for 14 to 16-year-olds and school staff, delivered through educational performances.
- Man Ally training for police officers, staff, and partners to promote proactive allyship.
- A public awareness campaign addressing unacceptable behaviour and raising awareness of sexual harassment in public spaces.
This comprehensive approach underscores the force’s commitment to fostering safer environments and reducing gender-based violence across the community.
Crime
Former police officer appears in court over paddleboarding deaths
NERYS BETHAN LLOYD, 39, a former police officer, has appeared before magistrates charged with the manslaughter of four people who died during a paddleboarding incident in Haverfordwest.
Lloyd, of Jersey Quay, Aberavon, is accused of unlawfully killing Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, Nicola Wheatley, and Paul O’Dwyer. The four victims were part of a stand-up paddleboard tour on the River Cleddau on October 30, 2021, which ended in tragedy.
In addition to the manslaughter charges, Lloyd faces a fifth charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Prosecutors allege that she failed to discharge her general health and safety duties, exposing the victims and others in the group to risks to their health or safety. The alleged failure, which contravenes Section 3(2) of the Act, relates to her role as the sole director of the now-defunct outdoor activity company, Salty Dog Co., which organised the tour.
Lloyd appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier today (Tuesday, Dec 3). During the hearing, she submitted no pleas to the charges.
Given the seriousness of the case, Judge Layton declined jurisdiction, and the matter was committed to Swansea Crown Court. Lloyd is set to appear there on January 3. She was released on unconditional bail.
The charges stem from Britain’s worst paddleboarding accident, which claimed the lives of four people after they were caught in a flooded weir on the River Cleddau. A report by the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch found that the group had been trapped by hydraulic towback at the weir, with no means of escape.
Lloyd, who left her position with South Wales Police three months after the tragedy, now works for a community charity. The investigation into the incident, conducted by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch, spanned two years and highlighted safety shortcomings in the organisation of the paddleboarding excursion.
The deaths of the four paddleboarders — Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, and Paul O’Dwyer, 42 — profoundly affected both their families and the wider community. Tributes poured in following the tragedy, with the victims remembered as devoted family members, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Today’s court appearance marks the start of a legal process that has already drawn significant attention and raised questions about safety standards in outdoor water sports.
Crime
Police appeal for information after Carmarthenshire fire
DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information following a fire at a property in Carmarthenshire.
A report was received at 2:00am on Thursday (Nov 28) that a door to a house on Dillwyn Street in Llanelli was on fire. The property was empty at the time of the incident.
A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and released on conditional bail as further investigations continue.
Officers are urging anyone with information that could assist their enquiries to come forward. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around Dillwyn Street between 1:00am and 3:00am and may have witnessed the incident or seen anything suspicious.
Reports can be made to Dyfed-Powys Police via the following methods:
- Online: Dyfed-Powys Police Contact Form
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 101
- Text for the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired: 07811 311 908
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting Crimestoppers.
Quote reference: 24001004025.
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