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Crime

Juror to face trial over collapse of school stabbing case

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A MAN accused of failing to disclose a personal connection during jury selection for the first trial into the Ysgol Dyffryn Aman stabbing will face trial in 2027.

Christopher Elias, aged 45, of Waunceirch, Neath Port Talbot, has pleaded not guilty to one count of engaging in prohibited conduct while serving on a jury. The charge relates to the collapse of the initial trial in October 2024, after the judge ruled there had been a “great irregularity in the jury.”

At a hearing on Friday (Sept 26) at Bristol Crown Court, the court was told that because of a backlog of cases, Elias will not stand trial until January 11, 2027. He was released on unconditional bail. His not guilty plea had previously been entered at Cardiff Crown Court in August.

Collapse of first trial

The prosecution case is linked to the abandoned first attempt to try a 13-year-old girl (now 14) accused of the Ammanford school attack. That trial was halted in October 2024 when the jury was discharged. Prosecutors allege Elias failed to disclose a personal connection during jury selection and then used his knowledge of the school and individuals connected to the case in an attempt to influence jurors. He denies the charge.

Emergency services were called to Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on April 24, 2024, after two teachers, Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, and a pupil were stabbed during morning break. The defendant admitted three counts of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article but denied attempted murder.

Following a retrial, a jury found her guilty and she was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court in April 2025 to 15 years’ detention.

Elias remains on unconditional bail ahead of his trial in January 2027. Further pre-trial hearings are expected in due course.

 

Crime

Teen avoids jail after knife incident in Tenby

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He was found carrying a kitchen knife in Tenby town centre has been handed a suspended sentence

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being found in possession of a bladed article in Tenby town centre.

Police officers were called to The Glebe in the early hours of April 26, 2025, following a call from a member of the public that a male had been seen carrying an offensive weapon. There they found Teilo Griffiths in possession of a kitchen knife.

“The defendant’s mother contacted the police at around 2am, reporting an ongoing incident with her son,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.”

While Mrs Griffiths was on the phone, her son left the home address.

“A young male was then reported to be walking around Tenby town centre in possession of a kitchen knife,” continued Linda Baker. “He wasn’t making threats to anyone but he was under the influence.”

Griffiths, of The Glebe, Tenby, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the knife and was represented in court by Tom Lloyd.

“When he was arrested, he was open and honest straight away, and admitted he couldn’t remember what had happened,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He’d been out with friends, he was over excited, people were buying him drinks, and this wasn’t something he was used to. He went totally over the top and can’t remember what happened.”

Griffiths was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and a 12 month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the knife.

 

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Crime

Woman stole from pharmacy despite ban, court hears

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A Pembroke woman breached a court order by entering a pharmacy and stealing items including a pregnancy test

A COURT has heard how a Pembrokeshire woman stole shampoo and a pregnancy test from her local pharmacy despite a court order preventing her from entering the premises.

Natalie Lintern, 36, was seen entering the Mendus Pharmacy, Pembroke, on October 9, 2025, despite being banned from the premises following a previous shoplifting conviction. However CCTV footage showed her leaving the pharmacy carrying £40.39 worth of items, which included shampoo, curl cream and a Clearblue pregnancy test. None of the items were recovered.

This week Lintern appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from HM Swansea Prison where she was remanded following her failure to attend a previous magistrates court hearing on March 10 .

The court was told that the latest offence was committed three months after Lintern, of Laugharne Close, Pembroke,was given a suspended court sentence for a previous shoplifting offence. This week she pleaded guilty to theft and was represented in court by Andrew Isaac.

“It’s clear there has been a problem with drug abuse and she was going through a rather tumultuous period at the time of this offence,” Mr Isaac told the court. “But there has been no re-offending since this offence was committed and she thoroughly regrets what she did.”

Lintern was fined £40 and ordered to pay £40.39 compensation to Mendus Pharmacy, £85 court costs and a £16 surcharge. Her existing suspended sentence will continue, however its duration has been lifted from 12 months to 18 months.

 

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Crime

Milford Haven shop burglary sees man handed suspended sentence

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A man who broke into a Milford Haven convenience store and stole thousands of pounds worth of goods has avoided immediate custody.

A MAN has been sentenced for breaking into the One Stop Shop, Milford Haven, and stealing approximately £2,000 worth of items.

Mark Brummitt, 46, broke a glass door at the shop on February 24 and proceeded to steal a number of items including vapes and cigarettes.

Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea Prison where he has been remanded in custody, Brummitt pleaded guilty to burglary.

He was represented in court by Jess Hill who said that Brummitt had stopped drinking alcohol some 12 months prior to the offence.

“He has a poor relationship with alcohol and around a year ago, he tried to stop drinking,” she said.

“But earlier that day he heard upsetting news that his grandson had been admitted to hospital which caused him to relapse back to alcohol. As a result, he wasn’t thinking clearly, and this led to the offence.”

Jess Hill said that Brummitt, of Robert Street, Milford Haven, regrets his actions and also the impact his behaviour has had on the owner of the shop.

He was sentenced to eight months in custody suspended for 18 months, during which he must carry out 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme. He was ordered to pay £500 compensation to One Stop Shop, Milford Haven, a £187 court surcharge and £150 costs.

 

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