Crime

Trial continues into Swansea city centre murder case

Published

1 year ago

January 14, 2025

THE TRIAL of two men accused of murdering a workmate during a night out in Swansea city centre is underway at Swansea Crown Court.

This week, the jury heard how Andrew Main, 33, was subjected to what prosecutors described as a “prolonged and vicious” attack, leading to multiple head fractures and a traumatic brain injury. Despite medical efforts, Main was pronounced dead four weeks after the incident.

Joseph Dix and Macaulay Ruddock stand accused of the murder, which allegedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Both men deny the charge.

ALTERCATION OUTSIDE TRAVELODGE

Prosecutor John Elias KC described how an altercation outside the Travelodge on Princess Way escalated into violence. Main and his friend, Michael Bell, encountered Dix and Ruddock, who allegedly chased Main down the street before attacking him.

The prosecution claims Dix delivered a punch to the back of Main’s head, knocking him unconscious. Dix and Ruddock are accused of repeatedly striking Main while he lay defenceless on the pavement. Main never regained consciousness and succumbed to his injuries in hospital four weeks later.

PROSECUTION OUTLINES INTENT

Elias told the jury the attack demonstrated clear intent to cause serious harm. He argued that both defendants were jointly responsible, highlighting the repeated blows inflicted while Main was unconscious.

“All four men were staying at the same Travelodge while working in Swansea,” Elias said. He explained that the evening began with Main and Bell drinking at the Potters Wheel pub, while Dix and Ruddock socialised at the Bank Statement bar. Later, the defendants met two women—also guests at the hotel—at the Coyote Ugly bar, where they first encountered Main.

RISING TENSIONS

After returning to the Travelodge, tensions reportedly escalated when Dix accused Bell of irritating one of the women. Despite Main and Bell being described as “polite and friendly,” an argument broke out. Hotel staff intervened, temporarily defusing the situation, but the conflict reignited outside the hotel.

CCTV footage showed Main trying to mediate and calm tensions. When Bell fled the scene, the defendants allegedly turned their attention to Main. The prosecution claims Dix delivered the initial punch, knocking Main unconscious, before both men continued the assault.

Witnesses described hearing “loud thudding sounds” as Main was attacked while lying on the ground.

INJURIES AND MEDICAL EVIDENCE

Main suffered fractures to his face and a severe traumatic brain injury. Medical reports detailed significant brain swelling and bleeding, which required intensive care. Despite treatment, his condition worsened, and end-of-life care was agreed upon on August 2.

Blood samples revealed alcohol, cannabis, and traces of ketamine, which paramedics may have administered to manage Main’s airway.

DEFENDANTS’ REACTION

The jury was told Dix later tried to place Main in the recovery position, while Ruddock called emergency services. Police body-worn camera footage captured Dix insisting he acted in self-defence, saying: “He wouldn’t stop trying to hit me. Look at the cameras. I promise I wasn’t trying to start it. If someone was swinging at you, you wouldn’t just take it.”

The trial continues.

Crime

Local carpenter retains driving licence despite previous ban

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A Herbrandston carpenter has been allowed to keep his driving licence despite a previous driving disqualification for using his mobile phone whilst driving.

Addressing District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week, Simon Shaw stressed the disqualification was having a major impact on his work commitment as well as his ability to support members of his family.

“If the ban continues, at least two of my five employees will have to be lost” said Shaw, who works as a self-employed carpenter operating from Herbrandston and the Milford Haven Industrial Estate.

“We travel throughout the whole of West Wales and also work at Thorne Island, where we’ve been providing logistical support for renovations for the last four years.”

Shaw, of Triplestone Close, Herbrandston, went on to say that his business has only one other driver who works as a reserve fire fighter.

“As a result, he’s not available to provide the 24 hour cover we provide to various care homes in the county,” he said.

Simon Shaw concluded by stating that his daughter is also dependent on his support having recently given birth to twins while his son-in-law and his partner’s mother are both currently undergoing serious healthcare treatments.

“I’m trying to provide as much logistical support for them as I can, but without my driving licence, this is impossible,” he said.

After listening to his comments, Judge Layton granted Shaw permission to retain his licence.

Crime

Delivery driver caught twice over legal drink-drive limit

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A DELIVERY driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel when he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Twenty-nine year old Sam Rowe was stopped by officers just before 9.30 am on April 20 as he drove his Vauxhall Vivaro along Ferry Lane in Pembroke Dock.

“His speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

“There was also a strong smell of intoxicants emanating from him.”

When spoken to by the officers, Rowe stated he’d drunk a pint of alcohol approximately an hour before being stopped, however subsequent breathalyser tests showed he had no less than 75 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Rowe, of Hazel Close, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to the offence and was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher who informed the court that the defendant was holidaying in Pembrokeshire at the time of the offence.

“His daughter fell ill and he was attempting to find painkillers for her at a supermarket,” he said. “He’s very remorseful and is now going to lose his job as a delivery driver.”

Rowe, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for a total of 20 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Police tip-off leads to driving ban for Milford motorist

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has lost his licence after police received information that the 40-year-old male may have been driving under the influence of drugs.

This week Haverfordwest Magistrates court was told that at around 8.30pm on November 22 officers received a call informing them that Michael Miles was suspected of driving his Peugeot Bipper through Milford Haven after consuming drugs.

Miles was subsequently stopped on Marble Hall Road and when spoken to by the officers, he informed them that he was a drug user. A saliva sample tested positive for cocaine while further tests carried out at the police station showed that Miles had 760 mcg of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine in his system, the legal limit being 50.

Miles, of Milford Road, Steynton, chose to be legally unrepresented in court and pleaded guilty to the drug-driving charge.

The probation service said he was very remorseful for the offence and has since had appointments with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service to help him deal with his drug usage. Miles was served with an interim driving disqualification however as a result of his previous non-payment of fines, his punitive sentencing was adjourned to Thursday, May 7.

“If you pay your outstanding fines before Thursday, you will be fined for this offence,” warned District Judge Mark Layton. “But if you don’t pay, you will be given a custodial sentence.”