News

Tenby murder trial update

Published

12 years ago

February 6, 2014

THE trial of a man who allegedly stabbed his partner 40 times has been proceeding in Swansea Crown Court all this week.

Steven Williams, aged 30, denies the murder of Joanna Elizabeth Hall, also aged 30, although fingerprints matching his were found on the murder weapon. Williams claims he had handled the knife that night, though only to put it away after it had been washed.

Williams said he stayed with Miss Hall all night at the flat in Cresswell Street on March 16 last year. On the morning of the day Miss Hall was attacked, Williams said he got up early and bought a half bottle of whiskey which he partially drank in the toilets of the local Sainsbury store, drinking more in the local library’s disabled toilets.

In the evening, he described how he planned to stay home alone but he said a message from Joanna made him concerned she may have tried to ‘hurt herself’ once more, so he spent the night at her flat.

He told the court Joanna was uninjured when he left the flat to get the whiskey. But from the witness box he claimed that when he arrived back at Joanna’s flat just after 7.30am on December 16 he found she had been attacked in his absence.

He said earlier that Joanna had slashed her wrists a few days previously when he informed her he did not want to become involved in a relationship with her. Williams told the court he called the emergency services when a male friend called at the flat and advised him to do it. It is alleged that Williams was heard laughing during the 999 call. After the police arrived at the flat Williams was arrested.

The trial continues.

Community

Family pays tribute to ‘loving father’ who died after A487 motorcycle crash

Published

60 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of a 30-year-old father who died following a motorcycle crash near Aberystwyth have described him as a much-loved partner, relative and friend who will be “sadly missed by so many people”.

Matthew Sims, known to his family and friends as Matt, was seriously injured in a single-vehicle collision on the A487 at Blaenplwyf on the morning of Saturday, July 11.

The crash, involving a blue Suzuki motorcycle, happened at around 7am as Mr Sims was travelling to work.

He was taken by air ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he died on Thursday, July 16.

No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

Mr Sims, who was from Lampeter, leaves behind his partner Katie and his daughters, Emma and Beca.

In a tribute released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “Matt passed away on Thursday 16th July 2026 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, following a motorcycle accident on the Aberystwyth road on his way to work on the morning of Saturday 11th July 2026. No other vehicles were involved.

“He was a loving father to his daughters Emma and Beca and partner to Katie.

“He had a wide circle of family and friends and will be sadly missed by so many people.

“Rest in peace Matt.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Anyone who was travelling on the A487 near Blaenplwyf at around 7am on July 11, particularly anyone with dashcam footage, is urged to contact the force.

Information can be provided online through the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], sending the force a direct message on social media, or calling 101.

The reference to quote is 82 of July 11.

Crime

Driver sentenced for cannabis offences on Cleddau Bridge and in Wolverhampton

Published

5 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOLVERHAMPTON motorist has been disqualified from driving after admitting two separate cannabis-driving offences, including one on the Cleddau Bridge.

Doel Lyons appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first offence took place on December 22, 2025, when Lyons drove a Honda Civic along the A477 Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock.

A blood test showed seven micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, per litre of blood.

The second offence occurred on March 30 this year, when Lyons drove the same Honda Civic along Tithe Croft in Wolverhampton with cannabis in his blood above the legal limit.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving disqualification for each offence and fined Lyons £233 on each charge.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs in relation to each conviction.

The court register does not specify whether the two periods of disqualification are to run concurrently.

Separate allegations that Lyons drove another vehicle while over the cannabis limit and without insurance in Staffordshire in September 2025 remain outstanding.

No pleas have been entered to those charges, which were adjourned for a plea hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on July 29.

Crime

Pembrokeshire teenager given referral order after shoplifting spree

Published

5 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE teenager has been given a 12-month referral order after admitting a string of shop thefts and damaging a police vehicle.

The youth appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where guilty pleas were entered to 11 theft offences committed between April and June.

The offences involved shops in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Neyland, with alcohol targeted in the majority of the incidents.

Items stolen included BuzzBall alcoholic drinks, vodka, cans of Red Bull, crisps, chewing gum and a sandwich.

The court heard that several of the thefts took place at retail parks in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, while others occurred at stores in Neyland and Milford Haven town centre.

The individual also admitted causing £180 worth of damage to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle in Neyland on June 26.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month referral order, which will require the teenager to work with the Pembrokeshire Youth Offending Team and comply with a contract agreed with a youth offender panel.

Compensation totalling £336.77 was ordered in relation to the stolen property and damage to the police vehicle. The teenager’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

The court imposed reporting restrictions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Nothing may be published which could identify the youth.