Crime

The antisemitic kidnapping in West Wales: The motives behind the crime

Published

9 months ago

March 16, 2025

THE SENTENCING of three men for an antisemitic kidnapping in Carmarthenshire has reignited concerns about the rise of hate crimes in the UK. The attack, which saw an Israeli music producer lured to a remote location under false pretenses before being assaulted and detained, has been widely condemned. The case raises significant questions about the intersections of racial hatred, criminal opportunism, and law enforcement’s ability to curb such incidents before they escalate.

***Mohammad Comrie, 22, Faiz Shah, 22, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20 were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court last week (Image: Herald)***

What sets this case apart is not just the brutality of the attack but the underlying motivations. As revealed in court, the perpetrators—Mohammad Comrie, 22, Faiz Shah, 22, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20—were driven by a mix of financial gain and racial hatred. Using a fictitious music production company, they tricked the victim into traveling to Wales before launching their assault.

The court found that all three men had specifically targeted the victim due to his Jewish identity, making this a case of both opportunistic crime and hate-driven violence. The victim later described his experience as his “personal October 7th,” referencing the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, underscoring the deep psychological impact of the ordeal.

A growing trend of antisemitism

The case is not an isolated event but part of a wider pattern of increasing antisemitic incidents. Between October 2023 and September 2024, the Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 5,583 antisemitic incidents in the UK—a 204% rise from the previous year. This surge has heightened concerns about the safety of Jewish individuals across the country.

Experts have pointed to a combination of factors fueling this rise. Geopolitical tensions, the spread of extremist ideologies through social media, and a broader trend of rising hate crimes across Europe have all contributed to the problem. The rise of online radicalization has played a significant role in fostering antisemitic sentiments, creating an environment where individuals feel emboldened to act on their prejudices.

The kidnappers used face masks (Pic CPS)

Legal fallout and sentencing

On March 14, 2025, Swansea Crown Court sentenced Comrie, Shah, and Ogunnubi-Sime to eight years and one month each. Their guilty pleas on the first day of trial indicated a case so clear-cut that mounting a defense proved impossible. The sentencing, while providing a sense of justice, has left many questioning whether such punishments serve as an effective deterrent.

Hate crime laws in the UK have evolved over the years, but many campaigners argue they still do not go far enough. Calls for harsher penalties for racially motivated crimes have grown louder, with some urging for mandatory minimum sentences for hate-related offenses. Others believe that law enforcement needs greater resources to tackle hate crime networks before they escalate into violent incidents.

The role of law enforcement and community response

Dyfed-Powys Police acted swiftly in apprehending the suspects, aided by a police helicopter and ground units. However, the incident raises broader concerns about law enforcement’s role in preventing hate crimes before they happen. Investigations into the trio’s online activity could shed light on whether they were influenced by extremist content or whether they had connections to wider hate groups.

The CST has since provided security advice and psychological support to the victim, but the community remains on edge. The response from Jewish organizations has been one of renewed vigilance, with many calling for increased security measures at synagogues, schools, and cultural centers.

Mark Gardner, CST Chief Executive, summed up the gravity of the case: “The combination of criminality and anti-Jewish hatred could easily have resulted in a far worse, perhaps even fatal, outcome.”

The psychological and societal impact

Hate crimes do not just affect individual victims—they send shockwaves through entire communities. This incident has left the Jewish community in the UK feeling increasingly vulnerable.

Psychologists have long studied the effects of hate crimes on victims, noting that targeted attacks based on race or religion often lead to more profound and lasting trauma than random acts of violence. Victims of hate crimes frequently report heightened levels of anxiety, difficulty trusting others, and a lasting sense of insecurity. The fear that such an attack could happen again compounds the trauma, making recovery even more difficult.

Beyond the Jewish community, cases like this can have a corrosive effect on social cohesion. Hate crimes fuel division, create fear, and weaken the bonds that hold communities together. Experts warn that unless action is taken to address the root causes of antisemitic hate crimes, they will continue to rise.

The bigger picture

This case underscores the evolving nature of antisemitic threats—no longer limited to verbal abuse or vandalism but now involving calculated acts of violence. It serves as a stark warning that tackling hate crime requires more than just police intervention; it demands a societal shift in attitudes, stronger legal deterrents, and increased vigilance from both authorities and the public.

Ultimately, preventing hate crimes requires a multi-faceted approach. Education campaigns aimed at combating antisemitism, stronger enforcement against online hate speech, and greater community outreach efforts are all essential steps. The UK has long prided itself on being a multicultural and inclusive society, but incidents like this show that there is still much work to be done.

Crime

Emergency bags rolled out to support domestic abuse victims across Dyfed-Powys

Published

5 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Thirty packs provide immediate help for families fleeing dangerous situations

A NEW initiative aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse has seen thirty emergency bags distributed for use across the Dyfed-Powys Police area.

The bags, which contain essential items including toiletries, non-perishable snacks and emergency supplies, are designed to offer immediate practical support to individuals and families forced to flee abusive situations, often with little or nothing.

The scheme forms part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for victims and is being delivered in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police and Dal i Godi, the commissioned Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA) service.

Dal i Godi provides specialist support to victims at high risk of serious harm, including safety planning and advocacy through the criminal justice process.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said the initiative was already proving its value.

“This is an incredible initiative that I’m proud to support,” he said. “It provides meaningful help to those experiencing trauma and reflects our ongoing work to put victims first.

“Within just a few days of the bags being distributed to the Dal i Godi service, one was given to a victim fleeing a domestic abuse situation, along with a children’s pack to support their young family. That shows just how essential this support can be and how quickly it can make a difference.”

Detective Chief Inspector Llyr Williams, from the Dyfed-Powys Police Vulnerability Hub, said the emergency bags could provide a vital lifeline at critical moments.

“These emergency bags offer support at some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life,” he said.

“The contents provide immediate comfort, dignity and practical help for those leaving their homes in crisis. While simple, they represent an important first step towards safety and recovery.

“We are proud to be working with partners across the Dyfed-Powys area to ensure this support reaches people when they need it most.”

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or concerned about someone else, is encouraged to seek help. In an emergency, call 999.

Domestic abuse can also be reported online via Dyfed-Powys Police.

Support services available include Victim Support Dyfed-Powys, which offers free and confidential help to anyone affected by crime, whether or not it has been reported, and Dal i Godi, which provides specialist IDVA support for high-risk victims.

The Live Fear Free Helpline offers 24-hour support for those experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence across Wales.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, please consider reporting it. If you are in danger or need support right away, please call 999.

You can report domestic abuse through the online crime reporting service here: Report domestic abuse | Dyfed-Powys Police.

Support is also available via the below support services:

Victim Support Dyfed-Powys

Free, independent support for anyone affected by crime in the Dyfed-Powys area, whether or not it has been reported to the police.

0300 123 2996

Victim Support Dyfed-Powys

Dal i Godi (IDVA Service)

Specialist support for victims of domestic abuse at high risk, offering safety planning, emotional support, and advocacy with agencies such as police and courts.

01267 221194

Dal i Godi

Live Fear Free Helpline

24/7 support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence.

0808 80 10 800 | Text 07860 077333

[email protected]

Crime

Rugby player’s life changed forever by knife attack — attacker jailed for 22½ years

Published

7 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Seren Baker

A YOUNG rugby player was left fighting for his life after being stabbed repeatedly outside a Gorseinon social club — and on Friday (Dec 19) the man responsible was jailed at Swansea Crown Court.

Morgan Hopkins, aged 18 at the time of the attack, was seriously injured in the early hours of Sunday (June 22) outside The New Lodge Social Club on Alexandra Road.

Mr Hopkins, known to friends as “Hobby”, is a local rugby player with Morriston RFC. He had been waiting for a lift home with his girlfriend when trouble broke out nearby.

The court heard that Mr Hopkins attempted to defuse a confrontation between another group of males and Kane Evans. As tensions rose, Evans approached Mr Hopkins armed with a knife.

In a final attempt to calm the situation, Mr Hopkins reportedly said: “No one needed to get hurt.”

***Morgan Hopkins,18, pictured here with his parents was left with life-changing injuries following the attack***

Moments later, Evans launched a ferocious and unprovoked attack.

Mr Hopkins was stabbed no fewer than ten times to the chest and abdomen. Surgeons later told police that one of the wounds was less than half an inch from being fatal.

He underwent extensive emergency surgery and was left with lasting physical and psychological injuries.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Hopkins described the terror of the attack and the devastating impact it has had on his life.

He said his dream of playing professional rugby had been put on hold, adding that the loss of weekly matches had left him feeling lost and isolated. He told the court he no longer felt safe in his own home and struggled to go out, describing ongoing anxiety and depression.

Mr Hopkins also detailed the financial consequences of the attack, saying he had lost around £4,800 in wages and a further £800 from a cancelled holiday.

Police confirmed that Kane Evans, now aged 21, had gone out that night armed with a kitchen knife and may also have been carrying a second Stanley-type blade.

Officers said Evans was aggressive at the time of his arrest and was later charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

At Swansea Crown Court today, Evans was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison, with an extended licence period of five years to follow.

Passing sentence, the judge described the attack as random and extremely violent, warning that Evans posed a serious ongoing risk to the public.

Family members and supporters of Mr Hopkins were present in court as the sentence was handed down.

Since the attack, friends, teammates and members of the local community have rallied around Mr Hopkins, offering support as he continues his recovery from injuries that have permanently altered his life.

Crime

Police appeal after stolen Ford Fiesta crashes into lamppost

Published

7 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Officers ask residents to check CCTV and dashcam footage

POLICE are appealing for information following the theft of a vehicle in Ystradowen on Thursday evening (Dec 18).

A silver Ford Fiesta, registration CV05 CVJ, was reported stolen from a property on Brynawel Terrace, Penygraig Road, at around 5.30pm.

The vehicle was later discovered on New Road, Cwmllynfell, where it had been involved in a collision with a lamppost.

Dyfed-Powys Police are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle, or who lives or travelled along the route between Brynawel Terrace and New Road, Cwmllynfell, to check their CCTV or dashcam footage in case the incident was captured.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by calling 101, or by sending a direct message via social media.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Quote reference: 25*1032732.