Juror accused of failing to disclose information as teenager jailed for 15 years

A MAN has been charged after the collapse of the first trial involving a schoolgirl who stabbed two teachers and a fellow pupil at a Carmarthenshire school.

Christopher Elias, aged 45, from Waunceirch, Neath Port Talbot, is accused of failing to answer a question about his eligibility to serve as a juror under the Juries Act 1974.

He appeared at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on April 23 and is due to appear again on May 14.

The case relates to the first trial of a 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, accused of attempting to murder deputy head Fiona Elias, teacher Liz Hopkin and a fellow pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford. That trial collapsed last October due to what the judge described as a “great irregularity in the jury”.

Following a retrial which began in January, the girl was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on April 28 to 15 years’ detention.

The court heard how she stabbed the three victims while screaming “I’m going to kill you” during an attack at the school last April. She was convicted of three counts of attempted murder.

The charge against Elias alleges that he refused to disclose information which would have disqualified him from serving as a juror.

Under the Juries Act 1974, anyone summoned for jury service must meet specific eligibility requirements. These include being aged 18 to 75, being a UK resident, and not being disqualified due to factors such as criminal convictions, mental health issues, or certain occupations. Court officials are permitted to ask questions to confirm a person’s eligibility.

Refusing to answer such questions truthfully — or withholding disqualifying information — is a criminal offence. It can lead to prosecution if it affects the fairness or legality of a trial, as allegedly happened in this case.

Defendant changes plea on day of trial at Swansea Crown Court

A PEMBROKE Dock man has been warned he faces a custodial sentence after admitting to strangling a woman during an incident in Pembroke last November.

Leighton Evans, aged 29, of London Road, had previously denied two charges – intentional strangulation and witness intimidation – and was due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday (May 1).

The court heard that Evans was accused of assaulting the woman on November 8, 2023, and later turning up uninvited at her home in an attempt to persuade her to withdraw her complaint.

At a hearing in December, Evans pleaded not guilty to both charges and the matter was listed for trial.

However, on the morning the trial was due to begin, Evans changed his plea and admitted the charge of intentional strangulation. Prosecutor Georgia Donohue confirmed the plea was acceptable and the Crown would not proceed with the second charge.

Judge Paul Thomas KC ordered a pre-sentence report and remanded Evans into custody.

“There will be a report on you, but that will go only to the length of sentence, not the type of sentence,” the judge said.

Evans is due to be sentenced on May 30.

Operation Scotney targets organised crime

A MAN has pleaded guilty just one day after officers discovered a large-scale cannabis factory worth more than £300,000 in a disused retail premises in Llanelli.

Pllumb Krosi, aged 34, was arrested on Wednesday (Apr 30) after Carmarthenshire’s Priority Policing Team forced entry into a building on Vaughan Street to execute a pre-planned drugs warrant as part of Operation Scotney.

Police officers entered through the rear of the property and were confronted with a sophisticated cannabis farm spanning three floors. The building had been heavily modified with systems to control temperature, lighting, ventilation, and electricity.

Krosi was found inside what officers described as the “living quarters” of the cannabis operation. He was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. He was charged and remanded the same day.

Officers seized approximately 350 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £326,000. Also recovered were keys to a padlock securing a reinforced metal bar at the entrance, apparently installed to prevent forced entry.

Krosi appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court the following day (May 1), where he pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis. He was remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, May 29.

Detective Sergeant Richard Saunders said: “This is just one of many warrants carried out as part of Operation Scotney as we seek to disrupt the production of cannabis by organised crime gangs in our force area.

“I want to urge the public to remain vigilant to the signs of cannabis grows in their local area and to continue to report any concerns to police. This case shows our commitment to ensuring our force area remains hostile to those who deal drugs.”

Police say the most common signs of a cannabis factory include:

• Condensation on windows or rooftops clear of snow in winter
• A strong, distinctive smell from the property
• Large amounts of garden waste such as compost and plant pots
• Bright lights on 24/7 and the sound of extractor fans
• Covered windows and additional locks
• Frequent power outages due to electricity meter tampering
• People coming and going at unusual hours

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, via email, or by calling 101. Alternatively, anonymous reports can be made through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.