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Crime

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

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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

Woman denies using sock filled with snooker balls in street fight

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A 37-YEAR-OLD woman from Pembroke Dock has denied possessing a sock stuffed with snooker balls during an alleged town centre street fight.

Frances Wallace, of King Street, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week charged with possession of an offensive weapon and using unlawful violence towards others during an incident in Pembroke Dock on June 15, 2024.

She is accused of arming herself with the makeshift weapon—a sock containing snooker balls—during what prosecutors described as a “serious public order offence” witnessed by around 20 members of the public.

Also in the dock was Stephen Charge, 52, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, who faces a single charge of using threatening and unlawful violence. He entered no plea.

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told the court: “Both defendants were involved in a street fight that took place in Pembroke Dock. Police carried out extensive investigations, including reviewing video footage, which showed Frances Wallace armed herself with the sock containing snooker balls and used it as a weapon.

“You can imagine what it must have been like in Pembroke Dock at the time.”

Magistrates declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the case and it will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 20.

Both defendants were released on unconditional bail.

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Crime

Country sportsman loses gun licence after drug-driving conviction

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A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been forced to surrender his firearms licence after testing positive for a cocaine derivative while behind the wheel.

Shane Beynon, 50, was stopped by police on Clay Lane, Hundleton, on November 8, 2024. Subsequent tests revealed 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50.

This week, Beynon, of Hean Castle, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

“He doesn’t take cocaine and is very surprised this was found in his system,” said defence solicitor Michael Kelleher. “He’d been out the night before, but he accepts that no one is going to come to court and say they spiked his drink.”

Mr Kelleher told the court that the mandatory driving ban would have a significant impact on Beynon, both professionally and personally.

“He is a self-employed fencing contractor who relies on his vehicle, and he’s also a keen shooter. As a result of this charge, he’s had to surrender his firearms to the police,” he added. “The future is very uncertain for him.”

Magistrates disqualified Beynon from driving for 12 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

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Crime

Scrap metal collector’s ‘disastrous’ decision ends in court

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A DECISION to drive onto the Pembroke Dock to Rosslare ferry route after consuming alcohol has been described in court as a “complete and utter disaster” for Cardiff man Charles O’Brien.

The 39-year-old was stopped by police on May 3 and tested positive during a roadside breath test. He was taken to Haverfordwest police station for further analysis.

“But he was unable to blow long enough for the machine to register,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “As a result, he failed to provide a specimen for analysis.”

O’Brien, of Grangetown, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen. He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“This was a complete and utter disaster,” said Mr Kelleher. “He took his vehicle into the restricted port area. While it is not open to general members of the public, the offence still applies.”

The court heard that O’Brien is self-employed as a scrap metal collector.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

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