Crime

Southport Stabbing: Two children dead and Cardiff-born teen arrested

Published

2 years ago

July 29, 2024

TWO children have died, and nine others were injured, six critically, in a “ferocious” knife attack at a children’s dance workshop in Southport. The incident took place at a Taylor Swift-themed event on Hart Street, leaving two adults in critical condition after attempting to protect the children, Merseyside Police have confirmed.

A 17-year-old boy, originally from Cardiff but now residing in Banks, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Police have stated that the motivation behind the attack remains “unclear” but is not being treated as terror-related.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident at 11:47 BST, marking the first full week of the school summer holidays for many children across the UK. Armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances, and the fire service rushed to the dance class for children aged six to ten.

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy described the scene as “horrendous,” noting that officers were shocked to find multiple victims, many of whom were children. “It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack the children,” she said.

She added that the adults injured were bravely attempting to protect the children. Kennedy, a mother and grandmother, expressed her heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims.

The attack has drawn widespread shock and sympathy, with The King and Prime Minister leading tributes. The King stated that he and his wife were “profoundly shocked” by the “utterly horrific incident,” sending heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed these sentiments, highlighting the nation’s deep shock and expressing gratitude to the emergency services for their response.

Journalist Tim Johnson from Eye on Southport reported the attack occurred at the Hope of Hart children’s club, housed in a former warehouse building. He described the scene as “horrendous” with numerous emergency vehicles and emotional first responders.

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital declared a “major incident,” and the North West Ambulance Service dispatched 13 ambulances to the scene. Dave Kitchin, head of operations at the ambulance service, described the scene as “devastating,” acknowledging the lasting impact on the community.

Business owner Colin Parry, who witnessed the aftermath, likened the scene to a “horror movie,” noting the community’s collective effort to protect and save the children.

The Prince and Princess of Wales expressed their horror and sympathy, emphasising the unimaginable pain faced by the families involved. Everton and Liverpool football clubs also offered their condolences, uniting in support of the Southport community.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Southport MP Patrick Hurley voiced their concerns and hopes for the best outcomes for those injured. Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, urged the public to avoid spreading unconfirmed information.

Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Sefton Council Leader Marion Atkinson expressed their shock and sadness, pledging support for the affected community in the coming days and weeks.

The 17-year-old suspect remains in custody, with Merseyside Police continuing their investigation to understand the motive behind this tragic incident.

Commenting on the events in Southport, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through. We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack. Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most. “

Crime

New Year’s Day drug-driver banned after police stop in Milford Haven

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S EVE drive has resulted in a 12-month road ban after a motorist was found to be more than twice the legal cannabis limit.

Ridwan Rahman, 20, was stopped by police as he drove his Vauxhall Astra along Steynton Road, Milford Haven, on January 1.

“Police noted the car accelerating away from traffic lights in an erratic manner,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When officers asked the vehicle to stop, they smelt cannabis coming from inside.”

A blood test later showed Rahman had 5.2mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Rahman, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. He was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who disputed the prosecution’s claim that he had been driving erratically.

“He does not accept that he was driving in an erratic manner, nor that he accelerated away from the traffic lights,” she said.

“The officers told him he had been stopped because the vehicle’s registration plate light was not working.”

Rahman, of Carbon Close, Newport, was fined £323 and ordered to pay a £129 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Crime

Fishguard man jailed after breaching order banning contact with mother

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A FISHGUARD man has been jailed after breaching a restraining order which banned him from contacting his mother.

Steven O’Sullivan attended his mother’s home on June 22, despite the order having been imposed in November 2012. It prohibited him from having any direct or indirect contact with her.

“She felt she needed to phone the police because she was frightened of her son,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He had been dropped off at his mother’s property by a female, and his mother went upstairs to ring the police because he makes her feel vulnerable.”

When officers arrived, they found O’Sullivan inside an outbuilding, crouching beside an outside toilet.

“There have been a number of previous breaches, the most recent being on June 5,” continued Ms Vaughan. “Now we have yet another one on June 22.”

O’Sullivan, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, is currently on remand at Swansea Prison. He is also accused of stealing beer and food worth £45 from the Nisa store in Haverfordwest on June 21.

Representing him in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd said there had been no threats of violence when O’Sullivan went to his mother’s home.

“But the aggravating factor is his previous convictions,” he told the bench.

“He was particularly upset and had nowhere else to go. This was why he went to see his mother.”

Magistrates jailed O’Sullivan for eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on July 7 to enter a plea in relation to the alleged theft offence.

Crime

Pembroke Dock drug-driver banned after being caught over cannabis and cocaine limits

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been banned from the roads for more than three years after being caught drug-driving for the third time.

Adam Crayford, 28, was stopped by police shortly after 10pm on January 9 as he drove his Volkswagen Golf through Pembroke Dock.

Blood tests later showed he had 5.8mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

He was also found to have 117mcg of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine breakdown product, in his blood. The legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that Crayford, of Mayfield House, Victoria Road, Pembroke Dock, had previously been convicted of drug-driving in 2019 and of failing to provide a specimen for analysis in 2022.

Crayford pleaded guilty to both drug-driving offences.

“He is disappointed to be back before the courts again and recognises the seriousness of the matter,” said his solicitor, Alaw Harries.

“This is particularly so in light of his previous convictions.”

After considering a probation report, magistrates sentenced Crayford to an 18-month community order. He must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was disqualified from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.