South Wales Echo
GREENS TO BACK RHUN FOR FIRST MINISTER
THE Greens will give their backing to Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth as the next First Minister, the party’s Welsh leader has said. Anthony Slaughter said Mr ap Iorwerth had a “clear mandate” to lead after winning the most seats in a historic Welsh...
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FIRST MINISTER QUITS AS LABOUR HUMBLED
FIRST Minister Eluned Morgan announced she will resign as leader of Welsh Labour after her party suffered heavy defeats. Mrs Morgan lost her seat as Plaid Cymru marched into the lead as the votes were counted yesterday in the Senedd election. She...
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MURDER TRIAL TOLD OF SHAMED SINGER’S FINAL MOMENTS
A PRISONER accused of murdering paedophile Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins told jail staff: “If I’ve killed him, you could be talking to someone famous,” prosecutors have told a jury. Former Welsh rock star Watkins was stabbed to death in his cell...
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THIEVES TARGET MATCHDAY CARS
THIEVES are targeting cars parked on an industrial estate in Cardiff while football fans watch matches at Cardiff City Stadium. There has been a spate of cars being stolen or having parts stripped from them on Hadfield Road, Leckwith, in recent...
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COPS PAY OUT AFTER ABUSE CASE FAILINGS
TWO Welsh police forces have paid out tens of thousands of pounds in damages after legal action instigated by three people over failures linked to a child sex abuse case. One of the three, Michaela Allen from Caerphilly borough, has been awarded...
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‘I couldn’t walk straight and lost my sense of smell before life-changing diagnosis’
A RETIRED Army Major who found himself unable to walk in a straight line initially blamed decades of military service, but the real cause proved far more serious. Tony Kirk, from Barry, had spent 35 years in the Armed Forces and assumed his unsteady...
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CARDIFF CITY HIT WITH £15K FA FINE
CARDIFF City have been fined £15,000 by the Football Association in relation to homophobic chanting during their Carabao Cup quarterfinal defeat to Chelsea earlier this season. The Bluebirds were charged over the incident in February, after a minority...
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‘THIEVES LEFT DOG TO DIE ON RAILWAY TRACK’
POLICE are investigating the death of a dog which is alleged to have been stolen during a walk then left on a railway track to die. The 12-year-old Cairn terrier-type dog, named Zak, was being walked by owner Janet Collins’ son Ryan, who is described...
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CITY ON THE UP!
THE final whistle barely mattered. By then, the Select Car Leasing Stadium had already descended into pure, unfiltered chaos. Brian Barry-Murphy was up on the advertising hoardings, scarf whirling above his head, drinking in the adoration of a heaving...
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MURDER CHARGE DRIVER ON TRIAL
THE trial of a teenage driver accused of deliberately driving over a woman outside a Cardiff club has begun. Shelley Davies, 38, died from her injuries weeks later. Cardiff Crown Court heard that Kian Bateman, 19, who denies murder, had been sitting...
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SON KEPT DEAD MUM IN FREEZER FOR YEARS
RESIDENTS were in shock after it emerged one of their neighbours on a quiet cul-de-sac had been keeping his mother in the freezer for years. People living at Poplar Crescent in Porthcawl told the Echo they hadn’t seen or heard from Sylvia Phillips,...
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‘CYBER FLASHER’ IS JAILED
A CONVICTED sex offender forcibly kissed a teenage girl after following her home and went on to “cyber flash” a woman after sending her an unsolicited video of his genitals. One of his victims said her sense of safety had been shattered after she...
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TOP HORSE TRAINER JAILED FOR ATTACKING 72-YEAR-OLD
A CHAMPION horse trainer has been jailed for three years for attacking a dog walker who was on his land. Richard Evan Rhys Williams, known as Evan Williams, 55, repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, with a hockey stick during the assault. Mr...
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KEY CANCER FACILITY SHUTS
A CANCER facility that cost £8m of taxpayers’ money and is vital to pioneering clinical trials has ceased operation, we can reveal. Staff who worked on the Cardiff cyclotron have been laid off – and whistleblowers have accused the Welsh Government of...
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GRAN’S HOME DESTROYED IN ARSON ATTACK
A PENSIONER had to flee for her life from her burning home when it was targeted in an arson attack. Petrol was poured from canisters through her letterbox and window in the middle of the night. Grandmother Carol Ford, 82, said the only possession...
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Ex-BBC producer guilty of having indecent images
AN ex-BBC Wales producer has been found guilty of downloading thousands of indecent images of children after trying to blame corporation colleagues and claiming he had no idea where the pictures came from. Dylan Dawes, 50, made radio shows for stars...
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WORKER STRUCK OFF FOR KISSING BOY, 15
A SUPPORT worker convicted of having a “sexualised kiss” with a vulnerable 15-year-old boy she was supposed to be helping, has been struck off the professional care worker register. Chloe Short also engaged in text conversations with the child during...
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MONEY BOX!
CARDIFF Council has made nearly half a million pounds from fining drivers over the last three years in one city suburb that’s seen a sharp rise in yellow box junction penalties. There were 13,944 penalty charge notices issued to drivers near Cardiff...
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MYSTERY OVER DEAD MAN’S FINAL TWO WEEKS
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was recovered from the River Taff. Officers from South Wales Police have identified Matthew Comins, 40, as the man who was found in Radyr Weir in Cardiff on Monday,...
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DRIVER’S CAR RAM ATTACK ON CITY STREET
A MAN repeatedly rammed his exgirlfriend’s car in a terrifying attack in the street, a court has heard. The incident marked the culmination of a spree of offending by Tyrone Jugessur which included stealing a van with a puppy inside, and being caught...
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ON THE RUN – AND WORKING IN CARDIFF
A REALITY TV celebrity got a job at a Cardiff barbecue restaurant while on the run from an international arrest warrant. Dermot Clemenger, a professional dancer originally from Ireland, is famous in Sweden for his former role as a judge on a televised...
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OUTCRY OVER RUBBISH PILE-UP
RESIDENTS in a Cardiff suburb have said a new approach to waste in the capital is causing the road to look constantly messy. Since Cardiff Council began a new approach to waste management in the city, which includes a red bag for hard plastic and cans...
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STRANGER TRIED TO KIDNAP TWO CHILDREN AT PARK
A STRANGER attempted to kidnap two children at a busy splashpad in front of their mums and targeted a nursery the next day, a court has heard. Moynul Janu, 35, walked up to a four-year-old girl and 16-month-old girl as they played in the water...
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FURNITURE THROWN FROM BURNING FLAT
EMERGENCY services descended on a block of flats in Cardiff where burning furniture was thrown out the window after a fire started in one of the flats, writes Taine Lardner. Four fire crews, police and paramedics were at the scene of the blaze at...
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16-YEAR-OLD ‘BEACON OF JOY’ DIED IN CITY CRASH
THE 16-year-old boy who tragically died in a crash involving his bike and a car has been remembered as a “beacon of joy” by his family. Miracle Oladoyinbo was a gifted musician who had a “profound love for God”. He was a beloved son, described as...
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BLUEBIRDS LOSE £100M DAMAGES CLAIM OVER SALA DEATH
CARDIFF City’s claim for more than £100m in compensation following the death of Emiliano Sala has been dismissed by a French court. The 28-year-old Argentinian striker, together with pilot David Ibbotson, 59, died when the light aircraft carrying them...
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ROAD RAGE
BUSINESSES have raised concerns about how year-long road improvements on a busy Cardiff road are causing reduced footfall and trade. One fast-food manager said he now has days when he has no customers as a result of the work going on outside his...
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Woman strangled by man she had arranged to meet in town centre
A WOMAN was violently strangled by a man she’d arranged to meet outside a post office in the early hours of the morning. After demanding her phone, he placed his hands around the woman’s throat and squeezed until she was unable to breathe. Daniel...
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New plans for controversial series of park gigs
PLANS have been submitted to use a Cardiff park for a series of live events this summer – a year after last year’s gigs sparked controversy. Cardiff Council has lodged plans for the use of Blackweir Fields in Bute Park as a concert venue for Blackweir...
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DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS FOR STAR TOSHACK
WALES and Bluebirds football legend John Toshack has been diagnosed with dementia. His son, Cameron, revealed the heartbreaking news. Cameron, who is currently working as assistant manager at Buriram United in Thailand, admitted his dad has “good...
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What a Time! Manilow heads to city with new album
SINGER Barry Manilow has announced his first album in 15 years, featuring a song co-written by Take That singer Gary Barlow, as the US star heads to Cardiff later this year. The 82-year-old, who is best known for hits such as Mandy, Copacabana (At The...
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‘THE CITY IS SAFE’
IT’S hard to hear what the young woman is saying as she screams at police officers and appears to jostle one as she hurls herself with them to the pavement. It’s Super Saturday, the busiest night of the year in Cardiff, and officers are out in the...
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‘HOSPITAL LEFT MUM SITTING IN PAIN FOR FOUR DAYS’
A WOMAN with suspected meningitis sat in a chair for four days at a South Wales A&E department. The woman, 46, who is still unwell and does not want to be named, had attended Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, on Saturday, March 14, after being...
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QUARTET DENY TEEN’S MURDER
THREE men and a woman have appeared in court accused of murdering a 17-year-old boy. Ricardo Elliot, Elexi Manny, Georgie Mears and Connor Palfrey are all charged with the murder of Tristan Shae Kerr. All four defendants pleaded not guilty at a plea...
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DAD’S FAKE DNA CHILD SUPPORT DODGE
A RELUCTANT father fraudulently asked his friend to provide a DNA sample in order to avoid paying child maintenance payments for his daughter. He denied paternity of his daughter and attempted to hoodwink the mother to evade his...
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THREE DIED IN CRASH AFTER DRIVER TOOK COCAINE
A DRIVER was under the influence of cocaine at the time of a crash which caused the deaths of him and his two passengers, an inquest has heard. Scott Jeffery, 34, suffered fatal injuries after driving a Ford Puma head-on into a lorry while his...
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‘EXPLOSIVES’ THREAT SPARKED SCHOOL CLOSURES
THREATS making reference to “explosive devices, firearms and knife attacks” were sent to three Cardiff schools, it has been confirmed. South Wales Police were yesterday continuing to investigate the threats which saw Llanishen High School and Eastern...
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SCHOOLS CLOSED AFTER ‘THREATS TO HARM’
SOUTH Wales Police are continuing to investigate threats made to two schools in Cardiff. The force that, at around 8.30pm on Sunday, it received a “live chat making threats to harm people” at the city’s Llanishen High School and Eastern High...
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4AM ‘ASSAULT’ LEAVES TWO IN HOSPITAL
TWO men are in hospital following a reported assault at a cocktail bar in Cardiff city centre. A police cordon was in place yesterday as officers remained at the scene on Mill Lane yesterday morning, following the incident which took place at the Ten...
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CHEF BIT OFF PART OF FRIEND’S EAR IN ROW
A PUB chef bit his housemate’s ear so hard part of it became detached. After the attack, Marcin Kluska, 47, tried to conceal evidence. When police arrived at the scene, he was standing in a towel while the victim lay outside on the grass. Just after...
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Torchwood fans upset as Ianto’s Shrine to go
A SHRINE to a fictional character that has delighted fans from around the world for nearly 20 years is to be taken down. Ianto’s Shrine, a Cardiff Bay landmark set up in memory of the Torchwood character Ianto Jones, is to be removed by the end of...
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HEAD USED SCHOOL CAR FOR HOLIDAY
A HEADTEACHER who rose to prominence on the television show Educating Cardiff used a school car without permission or insurance, to go on holiday to France and for trips to the pub, a misconduct hearing has been told. Joy Ballard, who was headteacher...
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CHAMPION HORSE TRAINER ‘BEAT DOG WALKER’
A CHAMPION horse trainer used a hockey stick to attack a dog walker he mistakenly believed was a rural criminal on his land, a jury has heard. Richard Evan Rhys Williams, known as Evan Williams, 54, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent to...
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Spice up your life with Royal Mint’s latest coins
THEY have inspired generations with girl power and positivity, dominated the music charts, and even starred in a 1990s film – and now the Spice Girls are being celebrated on official coins produced by Llantrisant’s Royal Mint. The coins have been...
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WARNING OVER ‘SCHOOL FIGHT’ ONLINE POSTS
VIDEOS and still images on social media are being shared attempting to organise fights between different Cardiff secondary schools. The graphics appear to be part of a co-ordinated attempt across the UK to arrange inter-school fights. Several Cardiff...
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BLUEBIRDS’ FINANCES SHOW £39M SPENT ON WAGES
CARDIFF City’s latest accounts have revealed a dramatic rise in player wages and laid bare the scale of the financial challenge facing the club following a relegation which “shook the club to its core”. The figures, published at Companies House for...
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CONMAN BUILDER MUST PAY BACK £1M
A ROGUE builder who conned “elderly and vulnerable” people out of thousands of pounds by telling them they had to have work done that wasn’t needed has been ordered to pay back more than £1m. William Hanson, 51, “grossly overcharged” his victims and...
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CRIMINAL PAIR TO PAY BACK £200K
A ROGUE trader who defrauded multiple homeowners of tens of thousands of pounds has been ordered to pay back more than £100,000 despite benefiting by more than £1m. His wife, the owner of bank accounts used to hold money that her husband had...
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TEN-YEAR WAIT FOR A NEW HOME
CARDIFF residents living in old council flats that will soon be demolished have spoken of the years they’ve spent in cold, damp, and mouldy conditions as they wait to be moved into new homes. Tenants living in a block of flats at the Cardiff...
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WALES TO JOIN BID FOR 2040 OLYMPICS
WALES is to join a joint bid for the Olympics to be held in England and Wales. Ken Skates, transport and North Wales secretary, said the Welsh Government will join a bid already being discussed by regional mayors in England to bid for the sporting...
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WRU CHIEFS SET TO FACE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
THE Welsh Rugby Union is to face a seismic extraordinary general meeting (EGM), with a vote of no confidence in chair Richard Collier-Keywood set to be held. Yesterday, it was confirmed that the Central Glamorgan Rugby Union, which represents clubs in...
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HUSBAND JAILED FOR STABBING HIS WIFE TO DEATH
A JEALOUS husband has been jailed for at least 23 years for stabbing his wife to death, after they separated and she started dating a work colleague. Thisara Weragalage, 38, admitted murdering his wife, Niwunhellage Dona Nirodha Kalpani Niwunhella,...
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Anna is rocking it with her lookalike pebble creations
WITH great precision, Anna Llewellyn, carefully drizzles a glossy layer of pink and chocolate icing over the doughnuts she’s just made. She tilts her wrist slightly, watching the icing settle into place, exactly where she wants it. Beside them sit...
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COURT BID TO STOP CARDIFF TAKEOVER
SWANSEA Council has applied for a High Court injunction to halt the proposed deal between the Welsh Rugby Union and Y11 to buy Cardiff Rugby. The WRU has chosen Ospreys owners Y11 as its preferred bidder for Cardiff Rugby and has granted them a 60-day...
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ALL ABOARD!
THE UK Government has committed to funding seven new train stations in Wales, including a contribution to the proposed Cardiff Parkway mainline project, while also endorsing a longterm pipeline of rail enhancement schemes worth billions of...
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WOMAN JAILED AFTER ATTACK KNOCKED GRAN’S TEETH OUT
A VIOLENT woman smashed a grandmother’s face on the side of a caravan and knocked her two front teeth out after she asked her to keep the noise down while her grandson was sleeping. The victim said she was left “disgusted” by her own appearance due to...
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BOY SHOT THROUGH LETTERBOX IN GANG DISPUTE
A MEMBER of an organised crime gang (OCG) fired a shotgun through a letterbox and hit a 15-year-old boy who suffered gunshot wounds to his legs, a court has heard. An accomplice filmed the shooter, who was wearing a balaclava, and both fled in a...
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RAPE ACCUSED WORKING AT HOSPITAL
A TROUBLED hospital has decided not to suspend an employee who is on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape and other offences. The alleged victim described the decision by Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales (UHW) as “scary”. South...
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ARMY:‘WE FAILED TEENAGE TROOPER JACK’
A TEENAGE soldier found hanged in his barracks having been under stress faced an “impossible working environment”, his family have said. Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams, 18, was found dead at Hyde Park Barracks in...
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