Crime

Cardiff-born 17-year-old charged with Southport dance class murders in court

Published

5 months ago

August 1, 2024

A 17-YEAR-OLD boy appeared in court on Thursday (Aug 1), charged with the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport. The victims, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday when a knifeman entered the dance class on Hart Street, Merseyside.

Eight other children suffered knife wounds, with five in critical condition. Two adults were also critically injured. The suspect arrived at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court around 9.30am in a white prison van, accompanied by a large police escort. The hearing began just after 10am.

Following the attack, violent disorder erupted across the country. More than 100 people were arrested during a protest in Whitehall on Wednesday night.

Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Serena Kennedy, announced in a press conference just after midnight on Thursday that a 17-year-old boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie Dot. He also faces 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. Due to his age, the defendant, born in Cardiff, cannot be named for legal reasons.

Thousands attended a vigil in Southport on Tuesday evening to pay respects to the victims. However, violence later broke out, resulting in injuries to 53 police officers and three police dogs. Five men were arrested in connection with the unrest.

In response to the riots, Elsie Dot’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, pleaded on Facebook for an end to the violence: “This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.”

The Prime Minister will meet senior police leaders in Downing Street on Thursday afternoon, following violent unrest in multiple parts of the country. He is expected to assert that those exploiting the right to protest to incite hatred or commit violent acts will face “the full force of the law.”

The 17-year-old suspect has been remanded into youth detention accommodation and will appear at Liverpool Crown Court later on Thursday. Around 20 members of the press attended the Youth Court hearing before District Judge James Hatton at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court. The hearing began at 10.04am, with discussions about reporting restrictions scheduled for later in the day before the Recorder of Liverpool, a more senior judge.

The defendant, who arrived at court at 9am, was brought into the dock at 10.27am. Flanked by three members of staff and dressed in a grey prison-issue tracksuit, he used his jumper to cover his mouth before sitting with his head bowed. He did not speak as his name, address, and date of birth were read out by the court clerk. The charges, including the attempted murders of Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, were formally put to him.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: