PORT TALBOT: Woman jailed following deliberate hit and run

In the early hours of October 23, 2025, 59-year-old Louise Blackwell, from Port Talbot, was witnessed dropping off the victim on Margam Road before driving off, then turning around and driving into the victim at speed while the victim was crossing the road. Blackwell showed no signs of slowing down as she then fled the scene in her vehicle.

A South Wales Police investigation discovered that Blackwell was driving whilst intoxicated at the time of the incident. Blackwell was found and arrested days later.

Blackwell pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in December.

Blackwell pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and Section 18 wounding with intent, but was found guilty of the latter offence on April 16.

She has today been sentenced to ten years in prison.

https://youtu.be/0yKA24PZWjE?si=NS2CE-OZDuqZAsKz

Detective Constable Tom Herbert said:

“Louise Blackwell is an incredibly dangerous woman who is fully deserving of being sent to prison.

“The victim was seriously injured and faces a prolonged period of recovery as result of the speed at which Louise Blackwell used her car to hit him.

“In a bid to cover her tracks, Blackwell then told her daughter that she had struck an animal and asked her to assist with cleaning any evidence off the vehicle, before she was eventually forced to come clean.

“A combination of alcohol and rage caused Louise Blackwell to carry out her horrendous actions on that day in October. She will now finally pay for her crimes.”

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

#hitAndRun #PortTalbot #SouthWalesPolice

SKETTY: Man jailed for 18 years after posing as Uber driver to rape woman in Swansea city centre

A Swansea man has been jailed for 18 years after a jury found him guilty of rape, having posed as an Uber driver to lure his victim into his car.

Abdul Shahid, 41, of Sketty, falsely presented himself to his victim as an Uber driver when he picked her up in Swansea city centre. Rather than taking her home, he drove her through dark roads before stopping at a car park, where he raped her.

Shahid pleaded not guilty to all charges and was found guilty by a jury of two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration. He has been sentenced to an extended 18 years in prison.

Detective Constable Claire Davies, of South Wales Police, praised the victim for her courage throughout the investigation. “I would like to thank the victim in this case for coming forward and for being courageous throughout the process of this investigation. Because of her, we have been able to convict a man who is clearly a threat to women,” she said.

“During the trial, Abdul Shahid did not show any remorse for his actions and even tried to blame the victim for what he did. The victim was simply trying to get home and put her trust in what she thought was an Uber driver.”

DC Davies added: “If you are the victim of a sexual offence, we urge you to report it to the police as soon as possible. You will be supported, and officers will treat all reports with sensitivity and professionalism.”

Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence and is not yet ready to report to police can find information and support services at south-wales.police.uk. The Samaritans can be reached at any time on 116 123.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Abuse horror: Man jailed after decade of child sexual offences
More coverage of serious sexual offences sentencing from Swansea Crown Court.

South Wales Police — all our coverage
The latest news from South Wales Police.

#rape #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt

GOWER: Serious collision near Three Cliffs Bay leaves woman in hospital — dashcam appeal

Police are appealing for witnesses after a serious road traffic collision on the South Gower Road left a 67-year-old woman in hospital with serious injuries.

The collision took place on the A4118 between the Gower Heritage Centre and Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park at 5.35pm on Friday April 24, involving a white BMW 1 Series and a grey Skoda Fabia.

The woman, aged 67, was taken to hospital and is currently in a stable condition.

PC Ross McGrath, from South Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit, thanked members of the public who helped at the scene and called on anyone with information to come forward.

“We want to thank those members of the public who assisted us at the scene and would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who may have any dash-cam footage of the incident, or those who witnessed the manner of driving of the vehicles prior to the collision,” he said.

The family of the woman injured in the crash also asked PC McGrath to pass on their thanks to Sketty fire station for their assistance at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police via 101, quoting reference 2600126744. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Gower — all our coverage
The latest news from the Gower Peninsula.

Average speed cameras to be installed between Cadle and Loughor Bridge after years of fatal accidents
Our coverage of road safety measures in the Swansea area.

#A4118 #featured #Gower #GowerHeritageCentre #RoadTrafficAccident #SouthWalesPolice #ThreeCliffsBay

SWANSEA: Meats, milkshakes, sunglasses and cheese — the one-man crime wave that hit 13 city centre shops in a month

A prolific shoplifter who visited the same Co-op nine times in a single month — and hit 13 Swansea city centre shops in four weeks — has been jailed and banned from every Co-op branch in the city.

James Brittain, 46, now of Alexandra Road, Swansea, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft from a shop at Swansea Magistrates Court, stealing goods worth almost £700 during a spree in March and April this year.

Brittain targeted Co-op branches on Bryn Road and Walter Road nine times, taking items including meats, ready meals, bottles of alcohol, chocolate and milkshakes. He also stole alcohol and cheese from Tesco on two occasions, bread from a Greggs bakery, and pairs of sunglasses from Vision Express.

The court heard that his long-term drug use had taken a significant toll on his physical and mental health. His advocate described him as someone who had become “institutionalised” to life in prison and who struggles when in the community.

Brittain was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison and will serve 40 per cent of that time in custody before being released on licence. He was also made subject to a criminal behaviour order prohibiting him from entering any Co-op branch in Swansea for the next three years.

South Wales Police say that the order is the sixth secured by its Neighbourhood Policing Team in Swansea for retail crime in the past two years. The application was supported by evidence compiled through close partnership working with local retailers and local authority CCTV.

Officers added that the broader enforcement effort has contributed to a 14% fall in shop thefts in Swansea city centre.

City Neighbourhood Inspector Andrew Hedley said tackling prolific offenders remained a priority. “Securing this sixth Criminal Behaviour Order in two years for retail crime reflects the proactive and evidence-led work of officers who are focused on those causing the greatest harm through repeat offending,” he said.

“Alongside targeted enforcement and highly visible policing, this work has contributed to a 14% reduction in shop thefts in the city centre. We will continue to focus our efforts and maintain our determination to protect local businesses and disrupt persistent retail crime.”

Swansea Business Crime Reduction Manager Steve Gallagher said the order sent a clear message to repeat offenders. “Persistent retail crime has a significant impact on retailers, their staff, and the overall confidence of the city centre, and this action shows that repeat offending is being tackled effectively,” he said.

“Through strong partnership working with South Wales Police, we are seeing meaningful enforcement that helps deter further offences, reduce financial losses, and improve the day-to-day safety of those working and trading in the city.”

Brittain has 30 previous convictions for 114 offences, including nine house burglaries, 22 non-dwelling burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking, and going equipped for burglary. In December 2020 he was sentenced to 32 months in prison for two attempted burglaries in the Sketty area of Swansea.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Brazen serial shoplifter who stole £5k worth of booze sentenced
Another prolific Swansea shoplifter brought to justice.

Serial shoplifter jailed after £861 spree targeting Swansea stores
More repeat retail crime coverage from Swansea.

Beauty haul shoplifter jailed after £927 spree at McArthurGlen
A shoplifting spree at Swansea’s designer outlet.

Dramatic video shows moment Swansea shoplifter tackled off bike
One of our most-watched crime stories.

Swansea burglar jailed after targeting city business
More coverage of repeat offending in Swansea city centre.

Thousands of shoplifting cases go unsolved in South Wales and Dyfed-Powys as charge rates remain low
The wider picture on retail crime in our area.

#BusinessCrimeReduction #CoOp #CriminalBehaviourOrder #NeighbourhoodPolicingTeam #shoplifting #Sketty #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt #VisionExpress #WalterRoad

GOWER: Former teacher jailed after sustained campaign of coercive control against wife

Christopher Haynes, 58, of Whitestone Avenue, Bishopston, Gower, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour. He entered his plea on what was due to be the first day of his trial.

The court heard how Haynes gradually tightened his grip over his wife’s life during their marriage, dictating who she was permitted to see, who could visit their home, and even what music was played in the house. He dismissed her work colleagues as “below him” and tried to pressure her into giving up her job entirely.

Prosecutor Craig Jones said Haynes viewed himself as “intellectually superior” to those around him and did not want his wife spending time with others or doing anything outside the home without him. Alongside the control, he would accuse her of being lazy around the house while simultaneously spending money the family did not have on expensive holidays and showering her with gifts.

Haynes repeatedly told his wife he had powerful connections within the Freemasons and warned her it would only take “one call, one bullet” to have her killed through his contacts in the organisation. The court heard he also engaged in frequent bouts of heavy drinking, with his wife later describing home life as like “walking on eggshells every day”.

When arrested, Haynes denied making any threats and claimed he was “besotted” with his wife and would do anything for her.

The complainant read a statement to the court in which she described how Haynes had “love bombed” her when they first met, making her feel as though they were soul mates – something she now recognises as part of the manipulation.

She told the court she had been an “independent and adventurous woman” but that Haynes had isolated her and shattered her confidence and safety with his jealous, abusive, coercive, degrading, and controlling behaviour and repeated threats.

She described the family home as a “prison” and said she was “a shell of the woman I once was” who now exists only for her children.

Caitlin Brazel, representing Haynes, said the lateness of his guilty plea stemmed from his reluctance to admit he was an alcoholic and his “deep-seated shame and embarrassment” at what he had done.

She told the court that after being forced to leave the teaching career he loved at the age of 50 due to deteriorating health, Haynes had turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. The court heard that following his divorce from the complainant, Haynes had remarried around three years ago.

Judge Geraint Walters told Haynes he had “ruthlessly controlled and manipulated” his former wife and “effectively stole her identity”.

The judge noted that in his pre-sentence report, Haynes had sought to blame his ex-partner and justify his behaviour, and said it appeared the defendant was incapable of fully accepting his wrongdoing.

Haynes received a 10 per cent discount for his guilty plea and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He was also made subject to a lifelong restraining order prohibiting any contact with his former wife. Haynes has no previous convictions.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

#Bishopston #coerciveControl #Gower #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt

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.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

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

Man jailed for strangling vulnerable partner who he threatened would end up back on the streets
Another recent sentencing story involving vulnerable people in supported accommodation.

#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.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Gowerton fire: dramatic scenes at LMS Club on Sterry Road
Our coverage of another significant fire in the area.

Gowerton road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
The ongoing aftermath of the Sterry Road fire.

#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.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

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

Abuse horror: Man jailed after decade of child sexual offences
Further coverage from our courts reporter.

#domesticAbuse #domesticViolence #Neath #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt