Crime

Juror to face trial over collapse of school stabbing case

Published

9 months ago

September 27, 2025

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

Portfield Gate man faces careless driving allegation after Tufton crash

Published

31 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A PORTFIELD GATE man has appeared before magistrates accused of failing to stop after a road accident on the B4329.

Tony Mallon, 32, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

He is charged with driving a Peugeot Partner without due care and attention on the B4329 Preselly Mountain Road at Tufton on November 12, 2025.

Mallon is also accused of failing to stop after an accident in which damage was allegedly caused to a Toyota Auris, and failing to report the accident to police within 24 hours.

The case was adjourned at the request of the defence for an intermediary report to be prepared.

Mallon is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 8 for a further pre-trial review.

Crime

Milford Haven man jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order

Published

1 hour ago

June 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed after admitting breaching a domestic violence protection order.

Ryan Carlmain, 33, of Plas Peregrine, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

The court heard that Carlmain breached an order made by the same court on May 14 this year.

The breach took place in Milford Haven on June 10, when he attended an address at Marble Hall Road, contacted the woman concerned three times by telephone, and entered the property through a bathroom window after snapping a key off in the back door.

Carlmain admitted the breach.

Magistrates committed him to prison for two months, saying the offence was so serious because he had shown a “flagrant disregard for court orders”.

He was also ordered to pay £284 in costs, with payment due on his release.

Crime

Worcestershire man jailed after violent attack on woman in Tenby

Published

15 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant was already serving a suspended sentence when serious assault took place

A WORCESTERSHIRE man has been jailed for more than two years after carrying out a serious assault on a woman in Tenby.

Lewis Thompson-Gill, 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm following an incident in the seaside town on December 28 last year.

A jury found Thompson-Gill guilty after a trial, having rejected his not guilty plea to the charge that he unlawfully and maliciously caused the victim serious injury.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the offence was committed while Thompson-Gill was already subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed by Worcester Magistrates’ Court on May 6, 2025.

That earlier sentence related to two breaches of a non-molestation order.

Sentencing Thompson-Gill, Recorder Paul Lewis KC imposed a total prison term of two years and four months.

The sentence comprises 20 months’ imprisonment for the grievous bodily harm offence, together with the activation of an eight-month suspended sentence in full.

The court also ordered Thompson-Gill to pay a victim surcharge of £187, which must be paid within three months of his release from custody.

The assault took place in Tenby during the Christmas period and resulted in injuries serious enough to justify the grievous bodily harm charge.

Thompson-Gill will now serve his sentence in custody.

Caption:

Lewis Thompson-Gill was jailed for a total of two years and four months at Swansea Crown Court (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)