Crime

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

Published

2 years 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

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

14 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

14 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

15 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.