Latest news with #ChristopherElias
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Juror in court over collapse of school stabbing trial
A man accused of causing the collapse of a trial into a triple school stabbing has appeared in court. In April, a 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named, was sentenced to 15 years at Swansea Crown Court for the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil, following the second trial that began in January. Christopher Elias, 45, from Waunceirch, Neath Port Talbot, has been charged with the offence of refusing to answer a question relating to the qualification to serve on a jury. He appeared in Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Monday, and has been told to return on 30 June. Girl, 14, who stabbed teachers sentenced to 15 years Stabbed teacher worried about safety in other schools Teacher says school stabbing was like horror movie Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and a pupil who cannot be named for legal reasons were stabbed by the teenager at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, last April. The first trial involving the girl collapsed in October, because of what the judge described as a "great irregularity in the jury". The charge on Mr Elias falls under the Juries Act 1974, which sets out requirements as to who is eligible for jury service in Wales and England, and permits court officers to put questions to potential jurors to establish whether or not they are qualified to form part of a jury. 'I'm going to kill you' - how school day turned to chaos amid stabbing Call for security guards at school gates after stabbing Deputy head raised behaviour issues before stabbing
Wales Online
02-06-2025
- 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.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ammanford stabbing: Man appears in court over collapse of trial
A man accused of causing the collapse of a trial into a triple school stabbing has appeared in April, a 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named, was sentenced to 15 years at Swansea Crown Court for the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil, following the second trial that began in Elias, 45, from Waunceirch, Neath Port Talbot, has been charged with the offence of refusing to answer a question relating to the qualification to serve on a appeared in Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Monday, and has been told to return on 30 June. Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and a pupil who cannot be named for legal reasons were stabbed by the teenager at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, last first trial involving the girl collapsed in October, because of what the judge described as a "great irregularity in the jury".The charge on Mr Elias falls under the Juries Act 1974, which sets out requirements as to who is eligible for jury service in Wales and England, and permits court officers to put questions to potential jurors to establish whether or not they are qualified to form part of a jury.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- The Independent
Man appears in court over school stabbing trial collapse
A man has appeared in court charged over the collapse of a school stabbing trial. Christopher Elias, 45, from Waunceirch, Neath Port Talbot, appeared before Swansea Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with the offence of refusing to answer a question relating to the qualification to serve on a jury. Elias was charged in relation to the collapse of the first Ammanford school stabbing trial, after a young girl attempted to murder two teachers and a fellow pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in April 2024. District Judge Christopher James adjourned the case until Monday June 2, to go before Cardiff Magistrates' Court. Judge James said the delay was 'regrettable' but necessary and granted Elias unconditional bail. A 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to 15 years' detention last month for the attempted murder of Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and the pupil at the school following a retrial. The first trial collapsed in October last year, with the judge saying there had been a 'great irregularity in the jury'.
Sky News
14-05-2025
- Sky News
Man appears in court over collapse of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman school stabbings trial
A man has appeared in court in relation to the collapse of a school stabbings trial. Christopher Elias, 45, from Neath Port Talbot, appeared at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with refusing to answer a question relating to the qualification to serve on the jury. He was charged in relation to the collapse of the first Ysgol Dyffryn Aman school stabbings trial, after a teenage girl attempted to murder two teachers and a pupil at the school in April 2024. A 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was detained for 15 years last month for the attempted murders of Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and the pupil following a retrial at Swansea Crown Court. The first trial collapsed in October, after what the judge described as a "great irregularity" in the jury which had "irretrievably compromised" its ability to consider the matter. "You'll be granted unconditional bail until that date," he said.
