South Wales Echo
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...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
‘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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MAN MADE THREATS TO ‘STAB, CUT AND SLICE’ STUDENTS
A MASKED man wearing a fedora filmed himself making vile threats against students at a Welsh college and said he would “cut, stab and slice” people at the institution. He posted the video to YouTube, which was seen by members of the college who were...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FREE CHOCOLATE TREAT AT
Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Voucher must be presented in-store to redeem the offer.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PLAN TO TACKLE KNIVES IN SCHOOLS
HELP for staff confronted by pupils bringing knives and other weapons into schools, or suspected of doing so, is being rolled out in a new national initiative. The scheme, announced by the Welsh Government, follows the jailing of a pupil who stabbed...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Prize nod for children’s author is twice as nice
A CHARTERED accountant-turned author has become the first writer to be shortlisted for two different books by the Waterstones children’s book prize. Welsh writer and illustrator Huw Aaron, from Swansea, but now living in Cardiff, has been nominated...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
Tourism upside for new topsy-turvy attraction!
A “SIGNIFICANT” tourist attraction has been given approval by Cardiff Council for a year-long stay. Cardiff Council has approved plans to allow land for a 12-month sitting of an “upside down house” at 2 Churchill Way in the city centre. The upside...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
BODY FOUND ‘COVERED IN CARDBOARD BOXES’
A WELL-KNOWN drag queen was seen on CCTV walking into a car park area in Cardiff city centre with a man before he was later found dead and covered up with cardboard boxes. Darren Meah-Moore, 39, was found in a lane close to Windsor Place and Park Lane...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Pair raided convenience store after robbing taxi
TWO men went on a crime spree which saw them robbing a taxi driver of his cab and using it to burgle a shop before making bystanders “run for their lives”. A judge said quite what made the men behave in the way they did has never been properly...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Disruption to key city road for up to a year
WORK will take place on one of the busiest streets in Cardiff city centre and is expected to take a year as Castle Street undergoes major construction. Work to make the current temporary road layout and cycleway along the road permanent will begin....
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Code-breaker coin will net winner golden prize
A COIN will form part of a nationwide code-breaking challenge, with the eventual chance for competition entrants to win a gold bar. The £5 denomination coin includes numbers, letters, and symbols that can be used to uncover layers of secrets, riddles...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
Flood-prone homes set to be demolished
A ROW of houses in South Wales is so prone to flooding that a council is set to demolish them. Fifteen homes at Clydach Terrace in Ynysybwl are expected to be bulldozed after being bought by Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) County Borough Council. It comes...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
Cardiff bars shut as owner enters administration
REVOLUTION bars owner The Revel Collective has closed 21 venues – including two in Cardiff – with the loss of 591 jobs after appointing administrators, who have announced a sale securing other parts of the business. FTI Consulting have been brought in...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Not-so-sweet surprise in store for vape shop
A VAPE shop which often marketed itself as a sweet shop has been forced to close after it was caught selling vapes and tobacco products to children, a local council has confirmed. Vape Zone in Abercynon was closed with immediate effect last Wednesday...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
BRAZEN GANG BEHIND BARS
A CRIMINAL gang who boasted of their extravagant lifestyle are behind bars after a major police operation in Cardiff. They were filmed cooking crack cocaine, handling large sums of cash and took pictures with a rented Lamborghini. Eight people have...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘I MISS HER EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY’
A CYCLIST was killed after she was hit by a driver who failed to see her as he travelled at 68mph. Her 10-year-old son was left without a mother and her family described a “hole in their family that will never be filled”. Lucy John, 35, was riding her...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DOZENS OF DOGS KEPT IN FILTHY CONDITIONS AT HOUSE
A PUPPY farm with almost 40 dogs kept in filthy conditions was discovered at a three-bedroom semidetached house, a court has heard. The condition of the property, which was covered in faeces and urine, left police officers and local authority workers...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
POLICE IN NEW BID TO SOLVE 1979 CABBIE’S MURDER
POLICE have renewed their appeal for information into the unsolved murder of taxi driver John “Jack” Armstrong – a killing that has haunted South Wales for more than four decades. Jack, a Cardiff taxi driver and family man, was murdered in October...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Snooker ace’s son following in his dad’s footsteps
MARK Williams’ 12-year-old son has qualified for the U18s European Snooker Championship six years early – as he continues to follow in the three-time world champion’s footsteps. Joel Williams is quickly rising through snooker’s youth ranks and will...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
TEACHER’S SEX ACT VIDEO SHAME
A PRIMARY school teacher has been convicted of inciting a teenage girl to engage in sexual activity and to watch a sexual act. He was found not guilty of sexually assaulting the teenager and not guilty of a count of causing her to engage in sexual...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WOMAN FOUND DEAD AT CITY PARK
THE body of a woman has been recovered from a park in Cardiff. There was an emergency response near Roath Park lake yesterday morning. South Wales Police confirmed the body of a woman has been recovered. The force says there are no suspicious...
Read Full Story (Page 1)