Crime
Teenage girl on trial for attempted murder at Ammanford school stabbing

A 14-year-old girl accused of attempting to murder two teachers and a fellow student at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford has appeared in court as her trial began today. The defendant, who cannot be named due to her age, has pleaded guilty to three charges of wounding with intent and possession of a knife on school premises but denies three counts of attempted murder.
The trial, held at Swansea Crown Court before Judge Paul Thomas KC, opened with Prosecutor William Hughes KC describing the incident on April 24 as a “serious episode of violence.” He detailed how the defendant approached teacher Fiona Elias in the school yard that morning, giving her what was described as a “sinister look” before producing a silver blade from the pocket of her cargo pants.
The court heard that during the morning break, the defendant attacked Mrs Elias with a multi-tool knife, reportedly shouting, “I am going to f kill you.” As Mrs Elias attempted to defend herself, fellow staff member Liz Hopkin intervened, grabbing the defendant from behind in an effort to restrain her. In the ensuing struggle, the defendant dropped the knife momentarily, but quickly retrieved it and continued the attack, stabbing Ms Hopkin multiple times.
After injuring the two teachers, the defendant moved towards a teenage student, calling out her name and shouting, “I am going to kill you.” The student was knocked to the ground and suffered stab wounds to her back and minor injuries to her legs. Other members of staff and students became aware of the commotion, and two male staff members – Darrell Campbell and Stephen Hagget – approached the defendant in an attempt to calm her. Witnesses described the defendant as having “a vacant look on her face” throughout the incident.

The prosecution outlined that the defendant had a history of bringing a knife to school. Earlier in the academic year, Mrs Elias had discovered a small kitchen knife in the defendant’s bag, which led to a school policy requiring the defendant to undergo daily bag checks. However, on the day of the attack, the defendant left home before her father could conduct the usual check, taking the fishing multi-tool without his knowledge.
Mrs Elias suffered stab wounds to her arms and thumb. Ms Hopkin sustained the most serious injuries, including wounds to her leg, the rear of her left chest, and a stab wound at the top of her neck into the trapezius muscle. The teenage victim received wounds to her back and legs. Emergency services arrived at the school shortly after the attack, and Mrs Elias and the student were taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea. Ms Hopkin was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. All three victims were discharged from hospital the following day.
Following the defendant’s arrest, police conducted a search of her home. Among the items found was a school planner with the phrase “death before dishonour” and other writings, including the phrase “cutting mouths and eyes to death.” Mr Hughes told the jury that these items suggested the defendant’s intention on the day of the attack.

During her arrest, the defendant made several comments, which the prosecution argues are significant in understanding her mindset. In the back of the police vehicle, she reportedly asked, “Are they dead?” and stated, “I am pretty sure this is going to be on the news… more eyes will be on me… that’s one way of being a celebrity.” She also queried how she would face her family after what had happened. However, when interviewed by the police in the presence of her father, she exercised her right to respond with “no comment” to all questions.
The jury was shown CCTV footage from the school depicting the attack, along with mobile phone footage shot by students and footage from police body-worn cameras. These videos provided the court with a detailed visual account of the incident. The judge instructed the jury that special screens would be installed to allow them to view the footage up close as part of the evidence.
Prosecution emphasises intent
Prosecutor Mr Hughes KC explained that while the defendant does not dispute stabbing the three victims or bringing the multi-tool to school, the issue the jury must consider is whether she had the intent to kill. The jury was informed they would need to evaluate each case individually to decide if the defendant intended to commit murder.
It was revealed in court that the defendant had previously been caught with a small kitchen knife at school, resulting in her parents agreeing to subject her to daily bag searches. On the day of the incident, she had left home early, avoiding these checks. The court also heard that the defendant had made concerning drawings and notes, including references to violence against others.
After the prosecution outlined the case, proceedings for the day concluded. The trial will not sit on Tuesday, with hearings scheduled to resume on Wednesday when the jury will hear further evidence.
The 14-year-old defendant was arrested at the scene following the attack. Emergency services quickly arrived at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, placing the school on lockdown. Both Mrs Elias and Ms Hopkin have since expressed gratitude for the support they received from the school community. The trial, expected to last two weeks, will continue to explore whether the defendant intended to kill her victims, as charged.

Crime
Carmarthenshire kidnap victim speaks out: ‘I thought I was going to die’

THE MUSIC producer lured to West Wales and brutally assaulted in a staged kidnap plot has spoken publicly for the first time, telling The Guardian of the terror he faced and the long road to recovery.
Itay Kashti, 45, was beaten, handcuffed, and left bleeding in a remote cottage in Carmarthenshire in August 2024, after being tricked into travelling from London for what he believed was a professional music camp. He said he feared he would never see his wife or children again.

“I thought: ‘This is it. I’m going to die and this is the end of my story.’ I felt it was the final scene from a movie. I was thinking about my children,” he told The Guardian’s Steven Morris in an emotional interview.
Three men – Faiz Shah and Mohammad Comrie, both 22, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20 – were each sentenced last week to eight years and one month in custody after admitting kidnap at Swansea Crown Court.
The court heard the group deliberately targeted Mr Kashti because they believed he was wealthy and, according to the judge, possibly because of his Jewish heritage. “I was stigmatised and dehumanised,” said Mr Kashti. “The assumption was that a rich Jew lives in London, works in music, he must have money.”
He described how the men had posed as representatives of a music label and invited him to a songwriting camp in Wales. At first, the offer seemed legitimate. “They sounded a little bit green but they didn’t sound suspicious in any way,” he said. “The arrangement was that they would send a car to pick me up. They did mention I didn’t have to bring anything, but I took my Martin acoustic guitar.”
Upon entering the cottage in Llanybydder, he was ambushed. “Three guys, all masked, jumped at me and started hitting and kicking me on the head,” he said. “They said they were going to kill me. They chained me, handcuffed me to a pipe that came out of the radiator.”
Bloodied and terrified, he lay on the floor trying to make sense of what had happened and why. “I live a peaceful life and I’m not a political person. There was no reason to go for a person like myself.”
He later learned the attackers had panicked and fled. Using sheer determination, Mr Kashti freed himself, grabbed his phone – and his guitar – and escaped. “I didn’t want to leave the guitar. I dragged it along,” he said, showing bloodstains still visible on the case.
He hid in bushes and called his wife and police. Officers arrived within 20 minutes and launched a major operation, eventually finding the three men hiding in fields nearby. The response included a helicopter and specialist search teams.
Mr Kashti, originally from Israel and now a UK citizen, was left with serious facial injuries. His eyes were so swollen that he said he looked like a boxer after a brutal match. Doctors in Wales and at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London helped with his physical recovery.
But the emotional scars are taking longer to heal. “We all have a safety bubble. And that safety bubble has been burst for me,” he said. “When new people reach out, I have to be more vigilant. I’m more conscious of trouble that could emerge, danger that could happen. I guess it’s going to take me some time until I feel fully settled.”
Mr Kashti said most people didn’t know what he had been through. “You can’t just break it in a conversation and move on.”
Despite everything, he holds no hatred for his attackers. “I hope that the jail experience will turn them into better people. If they do turn into better people, then it was worth locking them up.”
His bravery in speaking out has been praised by supporters, including members of the Community Security Trust (CST), who have supported him since the attack. Police have also recognised his strength throughout the investigation and trial process.
The Herald understands the gang hoped to extort a million-pound ransom, though the plot quickly unravelled. The case has shocked both the music industry and the wider community, with many calling for greater awareness of the risks posed by online impersonation and targeted hate crimes.
Crime
Hakin drug dealer caught twice in two counties

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who was caught dealing cocaine, cannabis and nitrous oxide in Hampshire was arrested again months later after crashing an e-bike in Milford Haven.
Justin Cadwell, aged 28, of Picton Close, Hakin, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on multiple drug charges committed in both Winchester and Milford Haven.
Cadwell admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, cannabis resin, and nitrous oxide, as well as two counts of possession with intent to supply cannabis, all relating to an incident in Winchester on August 8 last year. He also admitted possession of ketamine, although he denied intent to supply it.
He further pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property – £25.3k in cash – on the same date, and to being concerned in the supply of cannabis between December 1, 2023, and August 9, 2024.
Cadwell was later involved in a crash on an e-bike at Hakin Point, Milford Haven, at around 7:00pm on March 1. His passenger was airlifted to hospital following the collision with a wall.
Police arrested Cadwell at the scene and later charged him with possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis. He denied possessing £588.63 in cash as criminal property, but the prosecution confirmed no trial would be sought on that charge. Cadwell also admitted riding the e-bike without insurance.
Judge Paul Thomas KC adjourned sentencing until April 11. Cadwell has been remanded in custody until that date.
Crime
Over 120 Carmarthenshire people identified as ‘money mules’ in fraud probe

More than 120 people in Carmarthenshire, mostly living in the Llanelli area have handed over their personal bank details to criminals involved in money laundering in exchange for financial gifts.
Economic Crime Team officers from Dyfed-Powys Police identified the individuals as part of an ongoing criminal investigation and issued notices advising them to stop the activity immediately or face prosecution.
Throughout February, the team visited people who had been linked with a suspected fraudster, as part of Operation Henhouse – a month-long nationwide clampdown on fraud offences.
On speaking to those involved, officers learned how the individuals opened online bank accounts using their personal information and identification and gave their account login details to criminals in return for cash, who then used their bank accounts to launder money obtained through crime.
The team offered safeguarding advice and warned them about the dangers of opening bank accounts to be used by someone else for criminal activity.
Many were unaware of the implications of what they had done and thought it was an easy way to make some money. Some were given financial gifts ranging from £50 to £200, while others were promised money but did not receive it.
Dyfed-Powys Police Fraud Investigator Sian Stevens said: “Through intelligence, we were made aware of a fraudster who recruited a number of people in the Llanelli area to open bank accounts, which were then subsequently used for money laundering purposes.
“The Economic Crime Team visited over 120 individuals in February to explain that they had been used as a money mule – this is someone, who has allowed their bank account to be used to send criminal money. We issued them with cease and desist notice to interrupt any further fraud by making sure they were aware what they were doing was a criminal activity.
“Many of the people were linked to each other. Some were family members or in the same friendship groups, ranging from young adults to pensioners. The accounts had been opened as a direct or indirect interaction with the fraudster.
“For example, there were some instances where an individual opened a bank account after contact with the fraudster and then went on to tell their friends, ‘you can earn £50 if you open up a bank account and give the details to this person’ and so on. That was just one of many examples how the fraudster managed to obtain personal bank details.”
Dyfed-Powys Police Economic Crime Team Manager Paul Callard said: “People fall victim to fraud every day and the impact on victims can be devastating, both financially and emotionally.
“They can be taken advantage of by criminals and encouraged to allow their accounts to be used. People should be very careful about who they provide their personal information to.
“We will not tolerate fraudulent activity and will look to tackle criminals at every opportunity.”
How to avoid becoming a victim of fraud
- Always use the ABC of scam awareness. Never Assume or Believe a caller, email or text is genuine. Always Confirm by contacting a trusted relative, friend, your bank’s fraud department or the police to check it is genuine.
- Remember the police will never call you asking you to assist with an investigation by withdrawing cash for them to collect, or requesting to collect your bank card. If you receive a call purporting to be from the police and are unsure it is genuine, ring them back via 101 using a different telephone.
- Avoid clicking on links in emails and text messages from unknown sources, as they are liable to be a scam.
- Always use a strong and separate password for your email address by using three random words.
Do you know what will happen if you are caught allowing criminals to use your bank accounts to money launder?
You could face prosecution and go to prison for up to 14 years.
It will be difficult to get a phone contract.
Your bank accounts will be closed.
You will have problems applying for credit.
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