logo
Ammanford school stabbing: Man charged over collapsed trial

Ammanford school stabbing: Man charged over collapsed trial

Wales Online02-05-2025

Ammanford school stabbing: Man charged over collapsed trial
Christopher Elias, 45, denies a charge related to the original trial in the Ammanford stabbing, which had to be discharged by the judge
A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the collapse of the first trial into the stabbing of two teachers and a pupil at Ammanford's Ysgol Dyffryn Aman
(Image: John Myers )
A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the collapse of the first trial into the Ammanford school stabbing. Last week a 14-year-old girl - who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions - was sentenced to 15 years detention after being convicted of the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil at Ammanford's Ysgol Dyffryn Aman following a trial in January. The matter had originally gone to trial in October last year but the jury was discharged when the case was part-heard.
Christopher Elias, 45, of Millbank, Waunceirch, Neath, pleaded not guilty to an offence of refusing to answer a question relating to the qualification to serve on a jury - contrary to the Juries Act 1974 - when he appeared at Swansea Magistrates Court. The matter was adjourned to May 14 and the defendant was released on unconditional bail to that date.

The school stabbing trial heard the girl attacked deputy head teacher Fiona Elias, teacher Liz Hopkin and a female pupil during the school's morning break on April 24 last year. The girl approached Mrs Elias in the school yard and said "I'm going to f****** kill you" before stabbing her in the arms with the knife.

When Mrs Hopkin intervened and tried to restrain the girl, the teenager turned on her and stabbed her in the neck, back, legs and arms. Other members of teaching staff spoke to the defendant and tried to calm her down but she ran off and attacked a 14-year-old girl with the bladed multi-tool before being successfully restrained and disarmed.
The judge later said he believed the girl had done it "for attention" and added: "I believe you did what you did, above all, for attention - perhaps attention you have not had from others. I think, in a weird way, you actually enjoyed the reaction and publicity coming out of what you did." She was sentenced to a 15-year detention.
Article continues below

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pensioner robbed at knifepoint in city centre in broad daylight
Pensioner robbed at knifepoint in city centre in broad daylight

Wales Online

time11 hours ago

  • Wales Online

Pensioner robbed at knifepoint in city centre in broad daylight

Pensioner robbed at knifepoint in city centre in broad daylight He had his bike stolen and says he was threatened with a knife It happened near George Street Bridge in Newport (Image: John Myers ) A pensioner was robbed at knifepoint in broad daylight around midday on Tuesday, June 10. Mark, 69, was walking under George Street Bridge in Newport with his electric bike before he was threatened with being stabbed if he did not hand it over. His daughter Holly James Gillum said: "My 70-year-old father was mugged today under George street bridge at 12.50pm and they threatened to stab him. My dad gave them his electric bike after an altercation. ‌ "He was just constantly apologising if he had upset them in any way and did his best to stay calm. It has absolutely petrified him. ‌ "My dad cycles every single day through Newport - Pill, Corpa, Malpas - everywhere. He keeps himself to himself and always says hello to everyone. "He went to the police station and because he had a tracker on his bike they were able to locate it in town and retrieve it whilst my dad was waiting in the station shook up." He says there were two individuals, one male and one female aged between 25-35 both on pushbikes. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here Article continues below Gwent Police confirmed they are continuing to investigate the incident. A spokesperson said: "At about 1.10pm yesterday we had a call reporting a robbery underneath George Street Bridge on the riverfront path where a 69-year-old man had his bike stolen. No-one was injured. "Officers have since found the bike and returned it to its owner. ‌ "We've been undertaking enquiries in the area, speaking to witnesses, reviewing CCTV and efforts are ongoing to identify the offender. "Anyone with any information can call 101, quoting 2500182929, you can send a direct message on Facebook or X, or online: "Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit ‌ In a seperate incident, police are investigating two violent incidents in Newport that occured within minutes on Saturday. Read more here Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Article continues below

Fly-tipper's terrible excuse for waste dumped at picnic spot
Fly-tipper's terrible excuse for waste dumped at picnic spot

Wales Online

time04-06-2025

  • Wales Online

Fly-tipper's terrible excuse for waste dumped at picnic spot

Fly-tipper's terrible excuse for waste dumped at picnic spot The driver of a van seen in the area was tracked down - and gave a terrible explanation for how the waste ended up at the beauty spot The waste found illegally dumped near Mosshouse reservoir in Neath (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) A van driver has been fined after waste from a bathroom refurbishment project was found fly-tipped near a picnic area and beauty spot, a court has heard. The driver was located after detective work by council officers The defendant has been fined £153 but been ordered to pay another £1,500 in prosecution costs. A councillor has thanked the members of the public who provided information on the case for their "community-spirited action". ‌ Swansea Magistrates Court heard the waste was discovered on October 18, 2022, near the Mosshouse Woods reservoir off Fairyland Road in Neath when a number of people who knew the area as a fly-tipping hotspot became suspicious of the activities of a tipper-style van. ‌ At the reservoir picnic site the eagle-eyed members of the public found bathroom fittings and furniture including a broken toilet, a sink, and shower screens along with other items had been dumped. They passed on the information to Neath Port Talbot Council's waste enforcement team. The court heard an investigation by council officers traced the dumped waste to a house which had undergone a bathroom refurbishment, and the officers also then located the owner of the van seen near the reservoir. Article continues below The owner said at the time of the offence the vehicle was being used by a man called Richard Holland who was spoken to and who later attended an interview at Neath Civic Centre. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter During the interview Holland accepted he was in control the van on the day in question but denied dumping the waste claiming he had taken it to a skip. He told the officers: "Someone must have placed the waste back in the vehicle from the skip and travelled to the location and deposited it". ‌ Richard Marc Holland, aged 47, of Jersey Road, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 when the case returned to court to be sentenced. The defendant was fined £153 and was ordered to pay £1,500 in prosecution costs along with a £61 victim surcharge. The court heard that though the defendant was not seen depositing the waste, section 33 of the 1990 act establishes that the person in control of a vehicle carrying controlled waste is considered to be knowingly causing the waste to be deposited - even without direct instructions - if the waste is deposited from the vehicle. ‌ This means that the person in control of the vehicle is held responsible for the waste's illegal deposit, regardless of whether he or she personally gave the order for the waste to be deposited. Speaking after the sentencing councillor Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for street scene, said: "I'd like to thank the members of the public for their community-spirited action in initially bringing this matter to our attention. "Fly tipping is a crime against our environment and we will pursue a prosecution either in court or via a fixed penalty notice. We take this nationwide issue extremely seriously and will continue to have a zero-tolerance approach." Article continues below

Man appears in court over collapse of Ammanford school stabbing trial
Man appears in court over collapse of Ammanford school stabbing trial

Wales Online

time02-06-2025

  • Wales Online

Man appears in court over collapse of Ammanford school stabbing trial

Man appears in court over collapse of Ammanford school stabbing trial Christopher Elias, 45, denies a charge related to the original Ammanford school stabbing trial, which saw the jury being discharged by the judge Christopher Elias (right) leaves Cardiff Magistrates Court (Image: John Myers ) A man has appeared in court in connection with the collapse of the first trial into a stabbing at an Ammandford school. A 14-year-old girl - who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions - was sentenced to 15 years detention after being convicted of the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil at Ammanford's Ysgol Dyffryn Aman following a trial in January, 2025. The matter had originally gone to trial in October last year but the jury was discharged when the case was only part-heard. ‌ Christopher Elias, 45, of Millbank, Waunceirch, Neath, pleaded not guilty to an offence of refusing to answer a question relating to the qualification to serve on a jury - contrary to the Juries Act 1974 - when he appeared at Swansea Magistrates Court at an earlier date. ‌ Today, June 2, the case was due to be heard at Cardiff Magistrates Court but the matter was adjourned to June 30 and the defendant released on unconditional bail to that date. District Judge Christopher James said it was "deeply regrettable" that the hearing had to be pushed back again. He said: "It is regrettable that this matter is to be adjourned by four weeks." Article continues below Giles Hayes, defending, expressed his frustration that it was the third time the case had been to court and been adjourned, adding that his client was of "clean character". He said: "Each time we have come to court no-one can tell me what is happening with this case." Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . The school stabbing trial heard the girl attacked deputy head teacher Fiona Elias, teacher Liz Hopkin and a female pupil during the school's morning break on April 24 last year. The girl approached Mrs Elias in the school yard and said "I'm going to f****** kill you" before stabbing her in the arms with the knife. Article continues below When Mrs Hopkin intervened and tried to restrain the girl, the teenager turned on her and stabbed her in the neck, back, legs and arms. Other members of teaching staff spoke to the defendant and tried to calm her down but she ran off and attacked a 14-year-old girl with the bladed multi-tool before being successfully restrained and disarmed. The judge later said he believed the girl had done it "for attention" and she was sentenced to a 15-year detention.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store