SWANSEA: Man told support worker he wanted to go back to prison for gym access — then set his hostel on fire to get there

A man has been jailed after setting fire to his hostel using an aerosol as an accelerant — just hours after telling a support worker he wanted to go back to prison for the food and gym facilities.

Matthew Draper, 40, was living in a hostel for people with complex needs on The Strand in Swansea city centre, run by The Wallich charity, when he set the fire on January 24 this year.

The Wallich is a Welsh charity supporting homeless and vulnerable people across Wales. Its Dinas Fechan project on The Strand is a 15-bedroom hostel providing shelter and support to single homeless people with a range of complex needs — including mental health issues, learning difficulties, offending behaviour and substance misuse.

Each resident has their own living space, meets regularly with a support worker, and can access help with everything from drug and alcohol support to advice on finding permanent accommodation.

Swansea Crown Court heard that earlier that afternoon Draper had told his support worker he wanted to return to prison where he would get “three square meals a day” and access to a gym.

Shortly before 4.45pm, he used an aerosol as an accelerant to set fire to lockers against an external wall of the hostel. The flames quickly took hold and reached a window some 15ft above ground level, though they did not enter the building. Rather than raise the alarm or flee, Draper stayed at the scene to watch the fire.

Staff were alerted and called the emergency services. Officers from the nearby fire station arrived almost immediately, the hostel was evacuated, and the blaze was extinguished.

Draper was arrested and answered “no comment” to all questions in interview.

Formerly of Geiriol Road, Townhill, Swansea, Draper has 21 previous convictions for 61 offences, the majority of which are for theft. His most recent prior conviction, from October 2023, was for shoplifting women’s clothes from the Matalan store in Cwmdu, Swansea, and failing to surrender to court.

His advocate told the court that at the age of 40 it was to be hoped Draper was motivated to “deal with the issues that have dogged him for much of his life.”

Draper had previously pleaded guilty to arson and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. With a discount for his guilty plea he was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve up to half that time in custody before being released on licence.

PC Gareth Bennett, of South Wales Police, said the behaviour could have cost lives. “Idiotic behaviour like that shown by Matthew Draper could have resulted in serious injury or even lives being lost on that day,” he said.

“This was completely reckless behaviour and it cannot be tolerated. He is clearly a danger to society and prison is the best place for him.”

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Man jailed for strangling vulnerable partner who he threatened would end up back on the streets
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#Arson #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea #SwanseaCrownCourt #TheStrand #TheWallich #Townhill

https://www.fogolf.com/1232250/fire-near-rhondda-golf-club-prompts-emergency-response/ Fire near Rhondda Golf Club prompts emergency response #Golf #GolfNews #SouthWalesPolice

DRUG DEALING: Ammanford pair used ‘Chinese’ as codeword for cocaine orders — jailed after being caught waiting for a delivery in Swansea

Two men from Ammanford have been jailed after being caught supplying cocaine on the streets of Swansea — with an examination of their phones revealing drug users were ordering their fix by asking for a “Chinese.”

Jac Cadman, 23, of Florence Road, Ammanford, and Jamie Cook, 31, of Tabernacle Road, Glanaman, were spotted by officers on patrol in the Blaenymaes area of Swansea on March 13 this year, sitting in a parked Renault on Pentregethin Road. The officers noted the pair appeared “overly nervous and fidgety” and that the vehicle was registered and insured to a provisional licence holder.

A search under the Misuse of Drugs Act uncovered 28g of cocaine and £470 in cash in Cadman’s pockets, and 5g of cocaine and £880 in cash on Cook. Three mobile phones were also seized.

Subsequent searches of the defendants’ home addresses revealed further cash — £1,620 and an additional $1,330 in US currency were found at Cadman’s property.

Swansea Crown Court heard that messages on Cadman’s phone showed “clear evidence of involvement in the supply of cocaine,” and that he had been waiting in Pentregethin Road to collect a delivery for onward supply at the time of his arrest.

Cook’s phone told a more colourful story. Caitlin Brazel, prosecuting, told the court that a large number of messages from known drug users referred to buying “Chinese” — which she said appeared to be a codeword for cocaine. The prosecution said police concluded Cook’s phone was being used as the drugs line.

Investigators were also able to link messages from a phone seized in a separate drugs investigation in 2025 to Cook, suggesting he had been involved in supplying cocaine since at least 2024. Cook had previously been convicted in 2022 of possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine after being caught operating as a street dealer in the Penlan area of Swansea by a plain-clothed police officer.

Both men answered “no comment” to all questions in interview, save for Cadman telling officers he worked in tarmacking.

The court heard that Cadman, who has no previous convictions, had begun drinking and taking drugs as a teenager as an escape from the pressures of being a carer for his parents. His barrister said he had found himself in debt and turned to dealing as a result, and that he was “deeply ashamed” of the impact on his family — including an unborn child.

Cook’s barrister told the court his client had experienced adverse childhood experiences linked to his mother’s addiction issues, and that the breakdown of a relationship following his 2022 imprisonment had seen him turn back to drugs. While on remand, the court heard, Cook had reflected on his situation and hoped to undertake the 12 Steps addiction programme upon release.

Recorder Greg Bull KC, sentencing, said those who involve themselves in Class A drug supply are “dealing in human misery” and that the courts would always treat such offending seriously.

With one-third discounts for their guilty pleas, Cadman was sentenced to 28 months in prison and Cook to 40 months. Both will serve no more than half their sentences in custody before being released on licence.

Sergeant Luke Tucker, of South Wales Police, said: “Both Jac Cadman and Jamie Cook will have felt great when they thought that their Class A drug dealing was going to net them a quick windfall. However, unfortunately for them, that feeling was quickly shattered when officers caught them in the act.

“Both will now follow in the footsteps of other drug dealers who have plagued the streets of Swansea as they rightfully head to prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
More of our coverage of Class A drug supply sentences from Swansea Crown Court.

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
Another recent sentencing story from Swansea Crown Court.

#Ammanford #BlaenYMaes #DrugDealing #drugs #SouthWalesPolice

NEATH: Fire damages derelict Katz nightclub — weeks before it was due to go under the hammer again

A derelict Neath nightclub that has been empty for years was damaged by fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning — just weeks before it was due to go back under the hammer at auction.

Crews from Neath, Morriston, Pontardawe and Port Talbot were called to the former Katz nightclub on Queen Street Back Road at 3.11am on Tuesday after fire broke out at the rear of the two-storey building. The blaze affected the first and second floors.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews utilised eight breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, a 10m ladder, three thermal imaging cameras and small tools to extinguish the fire. The turn table ladder was used to gain access to the building.”

Fire crews left the scene at 6.53am — more than three and a half hours after being called out. A road closure was put in place on Alfred Street and Queen Street Back Road during the incident but has since been lifted.

South Wales Police, who were also in attendance, said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined and is under investigation.

The building has been empty for a number of years since the nightclub closed. For those who remember it, Katz was a fixture of Neath’s night-time economy — a sizeable two-storey venue with a prominent bar, raised stage, and a large dancefloor with original parquet wood flooring that survives inside to this day.

The original parquet dancefloor and the bar with its distinctive diamond-pattern detail, still visible inside the abandoned building (Image: Seel & Co Auctions)One of the first-floor bar areas, with mirrored panels and suspended ceiling still in place (Image: Seel & Co Auctions)

The property failed to sell when it went to online auction with a guide price of £145,000 in March. It is currently listed for auction again with a reduced guide price of £85,000, with bidding closing on May 12. The listing describes it as a building “in a state of disrepair” with potential for conversion into flats, a gym, boutique cinema, restaurant or creative studio space, subject to planning permission.

The rear of the building, where Tuesday’s fire is understood to have started (Image: Seel & Co Auctions)

The full extent of the damage caused by Tuesday’s fire is not yet known, and it is unclear what impact — if any — it will have on the upcoming auction.

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#auction #buildingFire #KatzNightclub #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #Neath #QueenStreet #SouthWalesPolice #SteelCoAuctions

NEATH: Man jailed for strangling vulnerable partner who he threatened would end up back on the streets

A man has been jailed after strangling his vulnerable partner to the point she lost consciousness, a court has heard.

Daniel Rogers, 38, formerly of Croft Road in Neath but now of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to intentional strangulation at Swansea Crown Court. He has also been made subject to a restraining order protecting his victim.

Rogers had initially denied the offence, claiming the injuries to the woman had been caused during consensual sexual activity — a defence he maintained until shortly before trial, when he reversed his plea and admitted the charge.

The court heard that Rogers and the woman had met in 2021, when the victim was homeless and Rogers had an income and stable accommodation. Over time she developed feelings for him, but he used her vulnerability to control her, making threats that she would end up back on the streets.

The attack took place on April 28, 2024, at an Airbnb rental property in the Neath area. The court heard that both had been drinking when a verbal argument broke out. Rogers became increasingly aggressive, screaming in the woman’s face before grabbing her and throwing her onto the bed. He then put both hands around her throat and squeezed.

The victim struggled to get free, later describing how she felt unable to breathe and feared her eyes “were going to burst.” She lost consciousness and cannot remember how the assault ended — only that police were present when she came round. A neighbour had called 999 after hearing screams.

When officers arrived, the victim told them Rogers had done nothing wrong. It was only the following day, speaking to a domestic violence support worker, that she revealed what had really happened — saying she had not told the truth to police because she did not think she would be believed and feared Rogers would not be arrested.

Rogers came to the attention of police again in August 2024 after a member of the public called 999 reporting screams and a disturbance involving the same woman. Following his arrest, the victim disclosed the full details of the April strangulation.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said Rogers’ behaviour had severely impacted her mental health and that she no longer feels safe. She said she had believed she was going to die when he strangled her, and that looking back she believed he had deliberately exploited her vulnerabilities and the fact she had nowhere else to go.

Recorder Greg Bull KC, sentencing, told Rogers that strangulation was not permitted in law even with consent, and that its consequences can be fatal. He noted Rogers’ “appalling” record for violence and expressed concern at the length of time the case had taken to come to court.

Rogers has 26 previous convictions for 27 offences, including battery of a former partner, assaulting emergency workers, breaching a non-molestation order, and a particularly chilling offence of sending threatening communications to an ex-girlfriend — including messages saying he was going to kill her, accompanied by a photograph of himself digging what he described as her grave.

Sergeant Danielle Walters said: “Daniel Rogers’ victim felt like he was going to kill her as a result of his domestic violence. She had been scared to report what he was doing at first, due to her fear of reprisal from Rogers if she did so.

“Sadly, this is an all-too-common occurrence in cases of domestic violence such as this. She has been through a terrible ordeal, and we are pleased that she is finally free of his abuse now that he is going to prison. The victim is receiving all the available support after coming through the ordeal.”

Rogers was sentenced to 18 months in prison. With credit for his guilty plea he will serve up to half that time in custody before being released on licence.

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can contact the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800, available 24 hours a day. The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123.

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Port Talbot man who preyed on vulnerable girls jailed for rape

45-year-old Michael Allen, from Port Talbot, was convicted in March of four counts of rape against two separate complainants. Both victims were under the age of 18 at the time of Allen’s offending.

A judge at Swansea Crown Court praised the courage of his victims in coming forward and giving evidence at trial, describing them as “impressive young ladies.”

The court heard that both the defendants victims were vulnerable young girls who were experiencing difficulties at home when he raped them.

Allen, of Tanygores Street, Port Talbot, had previously been convicted of two counts of rape of a girl under 13 and two counts of rape of a girl under 16 when he returned to the dock for sentencing.

Judge Catherine Richards said given everything she had heard, Allen was sexually attracted to young girls and poses a serious risk to such girls were he to gain access to them again.

Allen was given a sentence of 24 years in prison and will be registered on the Sex Offenders list for the rest of his life. He has also been made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to control his access to girls under the age of 16

Detective Constable Penny Romanello said:

“This thorough investigation has shown that Michael Allen is an incredibly dangerous man capable of horrendous sexual crimes against children.

“His two victims have been through a dreadful ordeal at his hands; one which we cannot even begin to understand the damage that he has caused them both physically and mentally.

“We commend them both for their bravery in speaking up about Michael Allen’s crimes.”

If you have been sexually abused, and you are not yet ready to report to police, please don’t suffer in silence. A wealth of information and details of support services can be found here: https://www.south-wales.police.uk/…/rape-sexual…/

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

#LawAndEnforcement #PortTalbot #rape #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt

CAUGHT DEALING: Townhill man who tried to outrun police found hiding behind parked car — and cocaine was on the ground beside him

A Swansea drug dealer who tried to flee from plain-clothed police officers has been jailed for three years and eight months after being caught hiding behind parked cars — with cocaine on the ground nearby.

Kian Meredith, 22, of Caradog Place, Townhill, was spotted by officers on patrol in Prince of Wales Road in Swansea, who observed what they believed was a drug deal taking place among a group of known drug users. When officers approached, the group scattered. Meredith ran towards the Dyfatty junction before being found a short time later crouching behind two parked vehicles on Greenhill Street.

On the ground near him were wraps of cocaine. When searched, officers found a mobile phone and £115 in cash.

A download of Meredith’s phone later revealed messages related to the supply of cocaine and crack cocaine over the previous three months, as well as a so-called “tick list” — a record of money owed to him by customers. He answered no comment to all questions in police interview.

Meredith had already pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and to simple possession of cocaine when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.

The case was made significantly more serious by Meredith’s history. He was out of prison on licence at the time of the offence, having previously been convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine in 2023 — offences linked to the Jack line, a drugs network that was supplying significant quantities of both cocaine and heroin to users around Swansea. He received three years in a young offenders institution for those matters.

His barrister Emily Bennett told the court that Meredith had relapsed into cocaine and crack use in January this year “for no particular reason,” which had led to what she described as a “spiral” of addiction, debt and then dealing. She said his decision to run from officers when approached reflected his lack of maturity.

Ms Bennett said her client wanted to use his time in custody constructively, tackle his addiction issues, and train as a barber “so he is in a better position when he comes out of prison.”

Judge Catherine Richards said she accepted that Meredith’s life had been blighted by drugs, but said that by the age of just 22 he had been caught dealing on three separate occasions — and that the most recent offence was aggravated by the fact he had been on licence at the time. With a one-third reduction for his guilty pleas, she imposed a sentence of three years and eight months. He will serve 40% of that in custody before being released on licence.

The area where Meredith was caught has been the focus of a dedicated crackdown by South Wales Police, which has already seen crime fall 12% and anti-social behaviour drop 69% in the Dyfatty area following targeted enforcement activity.

South Wales Police Sergeant Luke Tucker said: “Kian Meredith was caught in the act while trying to peddle his poison onto the streets of Swansea. He is now going to prison for almost four years — a very costly price to pay which shows that dealing Class A drugs is just not worth it. Our officers will find you and you will go to prison.”

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Swansea: Waun Wen man jailed after being found guilty of rape

30-year-old Adam Ezalden, from Waun Wen, punched and kicked his victim on a number of occasions after the victim had made clear that he did not have her consent.

The victim was only able to escape the assault, which took place in April 2024, after elbowing Ezalden to the face and taking the opportunity to run away.

Ezalden was found guilty of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in March 2026. He has this week been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Detective Constable Carys Davies said:

“This was a harrowing attack in which Adam Ezalden used his clear power over the victim to achieve sexual gratification, even using violence as he did so.

“He is clearly a danger to women and is therefore not welcome on the streets of Swansea.

“We hope that the victim is able to overcome her trauma suffered at the hands of Adam Ezalden, and commend her for her bravery in coming forward.”

If you have been sexually abused, and you are not yet ready to report to police, please don’t suffer in silence. A wealth of information and details of support services can be found here.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

More local Police & Crime stories can be found here.

#CourtNews #rape #SouthWalesPolice #WaunWen

Elderly woman found dead in freezer at home as police probe mysterious death

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/porthcawl-freezer-woman-dead-wales-37015795

SWANSEA: Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack

Swansea Crown Court heard that the background to the violence was a belief on the part of brothers Adam Miller and Kristian Thomas that Corey Jenkins was involved in drug dealing in the Ravenhill area of Swansea.

On 6 June, the pair acted on that belief by taking golf clubs to the Jenkins family home on Rhodfa’r Brain, where they smashed a number of downstairs windows before walking to the nearby home of a relative, David Dallimore.

In response, four members of the Jenkins family — Paul, Christopher, Corey and Lisa Jenkins — armed themselves with weapons and made their way to Mr Dallimore’s address, where the confrontation spilled into the street.

The disturbance was captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage. Corey Jenkins was seen wielding a plank of wood studded with nails and a metal pole, Paul Jenkins had a hammer, and Christopher and Lisa Jenkins were armed with sticks.

During the melee, Thomas struck neighbour Kirsty Choi on the head with a metal pole as she tried to help an injured member of the Jenkins family nearby.

Judge Catherine Richards said that while Miller and Thomas had sparked the incident by taking the law into their own hands and attacking the Jenkins home, the Jenkins family had then armed themselves and engaged in an act of “vigilantism” without regard for the impact on the wider community or the fear caused to fellow residents.

The judge’s remarks underlined the serious impact the disorder had on innocent people in the area. Residents who had no connection to either party were left to witness a large-scale armed confrontation on their street, with the judge making clear that the Jenkins family’s decision to arm themselves and pursue retribution had significantly aggravated the situation.

Paul Jenkins, 64, Christopher Paul Jenkins, 45, Corey Jenkins, 23, and Lisa Dawn Jenkins, 45, all of Rhodfa’r Brain, Ravenhill, had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. Paul and Christopher Jenkins have previous convictions; Corey and Lisa Jenkins had been of previously good character.

Kristian Dale Thomas, 39, of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was convicted at trial of the unlawful wounding of Miss Choi. He was described as having an extensive record including possession of offensive weapons, affray, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and handling stolen goods.

Adam Miller, 34, also of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. He too was described as having an extensive record including affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, arson and criminal damage. Both men were acquitted at trial of violent disorder in relation to the Rhodfa’r Brain incident. Mr Dallimore was also found not guilty.

With discounts for their guilty pleas, Paul Jenkins and Christopher Jenkins were both sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Corey Jenkins to 22 months. Lisa Jenkins received an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and abide by a nightly curfew for two months.

Miller was sentenced to nine months in prison. Thomas, whose conviction at trial for the wounding of Miss Choi added significantly to his sentence, received 26 months in prison.

Those given immediate custodial sentences will serve 40% of their terms behind bars before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community. The case was prosecuted following a police investigation into the disorder, which had been captured in detail on CCTV and mobile phone footage recovered from the scene.

#CCTV #criminalDamage #DrugDealing #featured #Penlan #Ravenhill #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCouncil