News

Life order inevitable after jury convicts Andrew Main’s killers

Published

11 months ago

January 21, 2025

THE JURY at Swansea Crown Court has found two men guilty of the murder of Andrew Main after five hours and 11 minutes of deliberation.

Joseph Dix, 26, from Somerset, and Macauley Ruddock, 28, from Bath, were convicted of the fatal attack, which unfolded on Princess Way in Swansea city centre on Wednesday (Jul 17) 2024. Andrew Main, originally from Falkirk, Scotland, was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness, tragically passing away four weeks later.

Initially charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, Dix and Ruddock faced upgraded charges of murder following Mr Main’s death. Both men denied the allegations, claiming they acted in self-defence after Mr Main allegedly threw punches at them. While admitting to knocking him to the ground, they denied continuing the assault once he was down.

A pursuit turned deadly

The prosecution argued that Dix and Ruddock were the aggressors, pursuing Mr Main from a city centre hotel and launching a violent attack in the street.

Detective Inspector Claire Lamerton, who led the investigation, explained: “Both men were visiting Swansea for work, as was Andrew Main. All three were staying at the same city centre hotel and met for the first time at a nearby bar. Later that night, an argument broke out at the hotel between Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock and Andrew Main and his friend Michael Bell. This argument moved onto the street, before Dix and Ruddock chased after Andrew Main, ultimately striking him unconscious before carrying out a sustained attack.”

She continued: “While the parties had all consumed alcohol that night, that does not excuse the level of violence displayed by Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock. They clearly set out to cause serious injury to their victim and now face significant prison sentences for their actions.

“Our thoughts remain with Andrew’s family and friends, who have been devastated by what has happened and continue to grieve his loss. This case highlights how intoxicants can negatively affect behaviour and decision-making. Had Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock chosen to walk away that night, a life would have been saved, and they would not be convicted killers.”

Minimum sentence awaited

Addressing the defendants, His Honour Judge Paul Thomas KC emphasised that life imprisonment is the only possible sentence for murder. He noted that the court would determine the minimum term Dix and Ruddock must serve before being eligible for parole. Sentencing is set to take place on Friday (Jan 24).

A family’s grief

In a police statement after Mr Main’s death, his sister Nikki Main paid tribute to her brother.

“Andrew, my baby brother, was sadly taken from us far too soon. He was adored by family and friends and beloved by more. We are absolutely devastated by his sudden passing and ask anyone with information to please, please come forward. He will forever live in our hearts and memories,” she said.

She added: “He was a witty man with a huge heart, loyal to the core. He was a fabulous brother, fun uncle, and supportive daddy to his two children. There will never be anyone like Andrew. The hole that has been left in our hearts will never be filled. Everyone in our community has been grief-stricken, but we have rallied together as one at this sad time. As a family, we are destroyed by what has happened to Andrew. We can’t thank everyone enough for the love and support they have shown.”

Sentencing updates will follow on Friday (Jan 24).

News

BBC apologises to Herald’s editor for inaccurate story

Published

32 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Staff Writer

THE BBC has issued a formal apology and amended a six-year-old article written by BBC Wales Business Correspondent Huw Thomas after its Executive Complaints Unit ruled that the original headline and wording gave an “incorrect impression” that Herald editor Tom Sinclair was personally liable for tens of thousands of pounds in debt.

The 2019 report, originally headlined “Herald newspaper editor Tom Sinclair has £70,000 debts”, has now been changed.

The ECU found: “The wording of the article and its headline could have led readers to form the incorrect impression that the debt was Mr Sinclair’s personal responsibility… In that respect the article failed to meet the BBC’s standards of due accuracy.”

Mr Sinclair said: “I’m grateful to the ECU for the apology and for correcting the personal-liability impression that caused real harm for six years. However, the article still links the debts to ‘the group which publishes The Herald’ when in fact they related to printing companies that were dissolved two years before the Herald was founded in 2013. I have asked the BBC to add that final clarification so the record is completely accurate.”

A formal apology and correction of this kind from the BBC is extremely rare, especially for a story more than six years old.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines
docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon last week, marking the start of physical
deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on
shortly after 4pm on Wednesday 26th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy
components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the
existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today is
due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-
loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through
Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the
latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are
expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be
blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with
a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG
terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to
power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven
throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock.

Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

The Weather conditions are currently were favourable for this morning’s the arrival of
the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are
expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-
bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery
programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.