News

Two and a half years for haymaker punch

Published

12 years ago

June 16, 2014

A LOCAL “hard man” who put a promising young man in a permanent vegetative state with a “haymaker” of a punch has been jailed toady for two and a half years.

The man who helped him escape from the scene was sentenced to unpaid work after the judge took into account he had already spent two months in prison on remand.

Judge Paul Thomas said at Swansea crown court that the case was a tragedy for all concerned, not least for Rory Rogers and those who loved him.

“His life, his family’s life, his girlfriend’s life, have been shattered. It is a desperately sad case.

“What began as a petty drunken row ended with a young man’s future devastated,” he added.

James Robert Toulouse, aged 24. of Bonville Close, Saundersfoot, had admitted causing Mr Rogers grievous bodily harm. He had denied causing him gbh with intent and after a trial a jury found him not guilty of the more serious charge.

Jason McReynolds, 20, of Ridgeway Close, Saundersfoot, was found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice by telephoning his then girlfriend and arranging for Toulouse to be driven away from the area as police searched for him.

The jury heard how trouble began after Mr Rogers’ friend, Luke Wallis, told Toulouse in the Deck bar that if he was hard enough he could hit him in the face as hard as he wanted to, which he did.

Mr Rogers and Toulouse exchanged words and as Mr Rogers left the pub Toulouse ran at him and punched him to his head, knocking him unconscious.

Toulouse said he had acted in self defence and had not kicked Mr Rogers, as the prosecution had alleged.

Today, Judge Thomas said he believed that Toulouse had kicked Mr Rogers, and not just once.

Jim Davis, prosecuting, said Mr Rogers remained unconscious. “His condition has not improved and none is expected,” added Mr Davis.

Mr Davis said his family had chosen, understandably, not to attend the sentencing hearing of Toulouse and McReynolds.

Nicola Powell, for Toulouse, said everyone involved had been touched by the tragedy. Toulouse, she said, was extremely sorry for his actions.

Miss Powell said Toulouse maintained that he had not kicked Mr Rogers after knocking him unconscious. Judge Thomas said he took a contrary view.

Carina Hughes, for McReynolds, said the two months he had spent in jail had had a great impact on him.

Judge Thomas said it was another case of drunken young men arguing in a public place and then resorting to violence. Tragedy, he said, can occur.

Toulouse, he added, had been looking for trouble that night, but he had to take into account that Mr Rogers was also prepared to fight in a grassy area opposite the Deck bar.

He said he noted that Toulouse had walked away from the scene “boasting and celebrating” but he also accepted that at that stage he would not have been aware of the damage he had caused.

“Unlike Rory Rogers, you still have a future ahead of you. When you come out you can start your life again. Tragically, that is not available to him.

“You wanted to portray yourself as a local hard man. But afterwards you took the cowardly decision to get away from the scene.”

Judge Thomas said he had to be faithful to the decision of the jury. He jailed Toulouse for two and a half years and ordered him to pay a government surcharge of £120.

Judge Thomas said he did not accept “for one moment” that McReynolds had not realised that Toulouse had done serious harm when he arranged for him to flee Saundersfoot.

McReynolds, he added, had lied to the police and to the jury.

McReynolds was sentenced to an “intensive alternative to custody” programme involving 200 hours of unpaid work for the community, supervision, and his attendance on various courses.

News

Motorcyclist seriously injured in B4333 crash near Capel Iwan

Published

5 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Van driver charged after two-vehicle collision on Maudlands stretch of road

A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following a two-vehicle collision on the B4333 near Capel Iwan on Wednesday morning (Apr 8).

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called just after 7:00am to the crash on the Maudlands stretch of road. The collision involved a white Mercedes Sprinter van towing a trailer and a black Triumph motorbike.

The rider of the motorbike was taken to hospital by air ambulance, where he remains under treatment for serious injuries.

Police confirmed that the driver of the van, José Fernando Rey Fernández, aged 45, was arrested following the incident. He has since been charged with causing serious injury by careless driving, remanded in custody, and was due to appear before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court.

The road was closed for several hours while specialist collision investigators carried out enquiries. It reopened at around 3:50pm.

Witness appeal

Officers are appealing for anyone who saw either vehicle before the collision to come forward. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone with dash-cam footage, CCTV, or doorbell video covering the area at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police quoting reference DP-20260408-055.

News

Welsh Labour sets out jobs pledge as election battle over economy intensifies

Published

20 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister Eluned Morgan says renewables, apprenticeships and retraining will drive growth, while warning that rival parties risk business confidence

WELSH LABOUR has set out a fresh pitch to voters on jobs, apprenticeships and green industry ahead of the Senedd election, with First Minister Eluned Morgan claiming her party offers the stability needed to attract future investment to Wales.

During a visit to electrical firm Dec Elec in Aberdare on Thursday (Apr 9), the Welsh Labour leader met staff and apprentices to discuss expansion opportunities linked to renewable energy infrastructure and skills development.

The visit formed part of Labour’s wider economic message for the election campaign, with the party promising a new industrial strategy for Wales, more apprenticeships and a long-term retraining scheme for workers whose industries are changing.

Speaking during the visit, Baroness Morgan said Welsh Labour wanted to “move into the next chapter of the Welsh economy” by investing in what she described as “the jobs of the future”.

She said the party’s plans would include a new industrial strategy, further apprenticeship opportunities in areas such as renewables and planning, and a “Lifelong Retraining Guarantee” aimed at helping workers adapt at any stage of their careers.

Labour has also pledged to create a National Jobs Council chaired by the First Minister, deliver 100,000 all-age apprenticeships over the next Senedd term, and speed up the planning system to support economic development.

Other promises include a new strategy for vocational education and training, targeted support for the South Wales Valleys, backing for Welsh steel through public procurement, and work to unlock major projects in north Wales including Wylfa and the proposed AI Growth Zone.

At the Aberdare visit, third-year apprentice Jordan said his apprenticeship had helped him gain practical skills that would have been difficult to learn in the classroom alone. He said expanding apprenticeships would help more young people gain hands-on experience and improve their chances of finding work.

Labour also used the visit to draw political dividing lines with its opponents. Baroness Morgan claimed Reform UK’s opposition to net-zero projects would put jobs at risk, while also arguing that Plaid Cymru’s support for independence and its approach to renewable energy could deter business investment.

Those claims are likely to be strongly contested during the campaign, with opposition parties expected to argue that their own policies would provide a better route to economic growth, energy security and stronger public services.

The row underlines how jobs, industrial policy and the future of green investment are set to become major battlegrounds in the run-up to polling day.

Welsh Labour is seeking to present itself as the party of economic continuity and managed transition, while opponents are likely to question whether its record in government matches the scale of the promises now being made.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over alleged breach of sexual harm prevention order

Published

32 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Carmarthenshire defendant denies deleting internet history contrary to court order

A MAN from Llandeilo has been sent to Swansea Crown Court for trial after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Ben Barrett, 37, of Maes Y Farchnad, Llandeilo, appeared before the court on Thursday (Apr 9).

The court heard that Barrett is accused of breaching a sexual harm prevention order made by Swansea Crown Court on March 15, 2018.

It is alleged that between October 13 and October 19, 2025, at Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, he deleted the history of internet use without reasonable excuse, despite being prohibited from doing so by the order.

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Barrett gave no guilty indication and the matter was treated as not guilty for the purposes of sending.

He was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court, The Law Courts, St Helens Road, on Friday, May 8 at 9:00am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.