Crime
Merthyr men accused after Pembrokeshire pub altercation
THREE MEN from Merthyr Tydfil are facing serious charges following a violent incident at The Boathouse in Saundersfoot on Friday (Oct 28) 2022.
James O’Neill, 53, is accused of grievous bodily harm with intent. His son, Aron O’Neill, 25, and nephew, Shaun Nicholas, 24, are charged with causing actual bodily harm.
Confrontation caught on CCTV
The altercation, captured on CCTV, began after a reported dispute involving James O’Neill and the complainant, Stephen Kanauros. Witnesses testified that O’Neill struck Kanauros to the ground after an earlier confrontation with staff and an alleged incident involving Kanauros’ wife.
James O’Neill has previous convictions for actual bodily harm, dating back to 1989.
Witness accounts
Key witnesses gave evidence at Swansea Crown Court today, detailing the events leading up to the violent encounter.
Jasmine Kanauros, the victim’s daughter, recounted how her stepmother, Kate, was shoved by James O’Neill while dancing near the door. “She stumbled backwards, and that got everyone’s attention,” Jasmine said. Her father intervened, shouting, “That’s my wife,” before rushing to her defence. Jasmine described the moment their heads collided and hearing someone shout, “He’s biting him.”
Adam Bolwell, who was with Jasmine at the time, also described the escalation. “Stephen got up between Kate and the man, and then the kerfuffle happened again,” he said, adding that he later saw James O’Neill latch onto Stephen’s face during the struggle.
Harry Lewis, another witness, described the chaotic scene. “There was grappling, grabbing—so many people around him. It was like a tornado of people,” he said. Lewis also saw blood on the victim’s lip and a towel being used to stem the bleeding.
James Olliet, another onlooker, testified about seeing punches thrown and the aftermath of the fight. “I couldn’t tell if the blood on the man’s face was his or someone else’s,” he said. After the defendants walked away, shouting at staff, police arrived and reportedly recovered a piece of the victim’s lip near the pub’s entrance.
Gruesome discovery
Colin Barrett, a member of the band playing at the pub that night, testified about the gruesome discovery. “We had just started playing ‘Proud Mary’ when I noticed something going on,” Barrett said. Later, while loading equipment into a van, he found a piece of the victim’s lip outside the pub door. “I took a photo and zoomed in—it was the lip,” he told the court.
Medical testimony
Medical experts highlighted the severity of Stephen Kanauros’ injuries. A facial and plastic surgeon testified that the victim suffered a significant wound to his lower lip, a gum tear, and puncture wounds to his face and fingers. “The patient was taken to the theatre under local anaesthetic,” the surgeon said.
The trial continues.
FOUR men have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary following a high-value break-in at an industrial estate in Aberystwyth.
The incident occurred at around 9:30pm on Saturday (Apr 12), when a large quantity of e-bikes—worth an estimated £150,000—was stolen from a property on the Glan Yr Afon Industrial Estate in Llanbadarn Fawr.
Gavin Johnson, 39, Keith Johnson, 32, Gareth Corbett, 36, and Wayne Dreisey, 40, all from the Birmingham area, have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
They appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on April 19 and have been remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 19.
Another man, aged 33, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and has been released on bail while further enquiries continue.
A MAN who recently lost a by-election standing for the Reform UK party has been co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council — just two days before political graffiti appeared at Withybush Retail Park.
Scott Thorley, who stood for Reform UK in the Prendergast by-election earlier this year, was appointed to Haverfordwest Town Council during a co-option meeting on Thursday (Apr 17).
Mr Thorley came fourth in a closely fought six-way contest for a seat on Pembrokeshire County Council, securing 71 votes. The by-election, held on Tuesday, February 11, was triggered by the resignation of former Conservative councillor Andrew Edwards, who stepped down following widespread backlash over racist comments attributed to him.
Independent candidate Alun Wills ultimately won the seat with 199 votes (31.6%), ahead of Kaleb Jenkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160), Mike Mathias (Welsh Conservative, 136), Scott Thorley (Reform UK, 71), Alison Tudor (Welsh Labour, 57), and James Henry Purchase (Wales Green Party, 8).
But on Saturday morning (Apr 19), just two days after Mr Thorley’s co-option, residents and shoppers were greeted with a string of large political slogans sprayed across walls and walkways at Withybush Retail Park. Messages included: “KEIR STARMER OUT, REFORM IN! GOD SAVE US” and a separate large slogan reading: “VOTE REFORM” — all daubed in white capital letters.
The incident has since been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, new town councillor Scott Thorley said: “Whoever has done this, it is vandalism plain and simple.”
Mr Thorley, who works at the retail park himself, said he did not notice the graffiti when arriving at work and was only made aware after a colleague sent him photos by phone.
He added: “The phrase ‘God Save Us’ doesn’t really sound like something a younger person would write — maybe it’s someone older. But whoever it was, this was not done by Reform. It does not help us — it’s embarrassing.”
Mr Thorley also noted the timing of the incident, saying: “It’s a bit fishy this happened less than two days after I was accepted onto the town council.”
Haverfordwest county councillor Thomas Baden Tudor told The Herald: “Damage to public or private property is completely unacceptable, and if anyone has any information on who carried out this act of vandalism, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously — online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.
“They’ll ask questions about the crime but won’t ask about you.
“Antisocial behaviour is not tolerated or acceptable in Haverfordwest.”
He added: “Alternatively, anyone with information can also call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.
The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted new county councillor Alun Wills by telephone for a comment. He said: “I have not seen the graffiti yet, I have just come back from work.” Cllr Wills said he had seen a media post about the incident, believed to be on The Herald’s Facebook page.
At the time of going to press, we are awaiting Cllr Wills to come back to us with a further comment.
The police have been contacted for a statement.
A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared in court accused of assaulting and strangling a woman on two separate occasions.
Ali Miah, aged 33, of Bush Row, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 16), facing three charges.
The court heard that Miah is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation during an incident in Haverfordwest on April 13. He also faces a further charge of intentional strangulation, alleged to have taken place on November 1, 2023, involving the same woman.
The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where Miah is due to appear to enter his pleas on May 16.
He was granted bail.
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