Latest news with #SwanseaCrownCourt
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Trial of man accused of killing baby girl in car park crash delayed
The trial of a man accused of killing a baby girl who died after being hit by a car in a multi-storey car park has been postponed until next year. Flaviu Naghi, 34, faces two charges of causing the death of six-month-old Sophia Kelemen by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs. Naghi, of Rondini Avenue, Luton, Bedfordshire, spoke through an interpreter to confirm his name and enter a not guilty plea to the careless driving through drugs charge during a brief hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Monday. Judge Catherine Richards agreed an application to adjourn the trial until January 5 2026, three days after the anniversary of Sophia's death. The judge said it was 'regretful' that the trial needed to be delayed, but said it was necessary to allow for more expert evidence to be gathered. Naghi was released on bail. Tom Crowther KC appeared for the prosecution while John Hipkin KC represented the defendant. Sophia, from the Leigh area of Manchester, was hit by a car on the ground floor of a multi-storey car park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, on January 2, and died a day later in hospital. She had been airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales and undergone emergency treatment. An inquest opening at Pembrokeshire Coroner's Court in January heard Sophia died of an 'intracranial haemorrhage' caused by a road traffic collision.
Pembrokeshire Herald
a day ago
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Fresh evidence delays trial of man accused of killing baby in Tenby car park
A 34-year-old motorist has appeared before Swansea Crown Court charged with killing baby Sophia Keleman in Tenby's multi-storey car park with the cocaine derivative benzoylecgonine in his system. Speaking to the court via a Romanian interpreter, Flaviu Naghi of Rondini Avenue, Luton, denied two charges of causing the child's death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drugs when he was brought before Judge Catherine Richards sitting at Swansea Crown Court. The Crown alleges that Sophie, who lived in the Leigh area of Manchester, was hit by a car on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park as it was being driven by Flaviu Naghi on January 2, 2025. The Crown further alleges that subsequent drug tests carried out following his arrest showed he had 236 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The specified legal limit is 50. Baby Sophia was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales following the incident, but she died the following day. This week Naghi's defence counsel, John Hipkin, requested an adjournment to seek expert advice concerning the condition of the car's handbrake which the defendant is accused of driving. The request follows fresh information suggesting that the handbrake had only been partially engaged by another individual prior to the incident. This, claims the defence, could be the reason for the car's subsequent movement. 'An expert may well be able to answer whether, if the handbrake was only partially engaged, the car would have been able to travel forward or not,' stated John Hipkin, KC. The defence request was granted by Judge Catherine Richards. Naghi's trial will now proceed on January 5, 2026. Naghi was released on conditional bail.
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Cannabis dealer stashed machete and knuckleduster at home
Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini told Swansea Crown Court that police attended Bradley Southall's address in Milford Haven on the afternoon of September 9. He wasn't at home initially, but when they returned at 2.10pm he was standing outside the property. The officers asked Southall if they were going to find any drugs inside, to which he replied: 'Not that I remember, unless you found something'. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. Whilst they were inside, the defendant was seen nervously looking towards one corner of the living room. In a backpack in that corner were 15 bags of cannabis, which a drug expert valued at £4,670 if sold in street deals. His phone was seized, and analysis found drug-related messages dating back to 2020. Officers also found a silver knuckleduster down the back of the sofa, and a machete – around 65cm in length from handle to tip – in a kitchen corner cabinet. Southall was arrested, and in interview claimed the drugs were for his own personal use. The 50-year-old defendant, of Precelly Place, had 11 previous convictions for 22 offences. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and two offences of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. Hannah George, in mitigation, said Southall had been a 'long-term user' of cannabis – since he was 15 – and had now been selling the drug he was addicted to. She said Southall had previously rid himself of a heroin addiction, and that he was taking steps to reduce his use of cannabis by working with the support available to him. 'He is capable of addressing his drug misuse,' she said. Ms George said this was the defendant's first experience of custody since 1997, and being away from his teenage son – who he is the sole carer for – has had an impact on him. 'It's unfortunate it's taken the defendant's arrest for him to realise he has so much to lose,' she said. 'Your [teenage] son should clearly not be in a property where there is cannabis available to find, where there is a machete available to find, and where there is a knuckleduster available to find,' said the judge, Recorder Christopher Felstead. 'It's obvious to me you have put your son at risk by bringing those items into the property.' Recorder Felstead sentenced Southall to nine months for the cannabis offences, suspended for 18 months, and he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. The defendant also received one-month sentences – each running concurrently – for the weapons charges. Ms Carpanini confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service will make an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act to attempt to recover any profits Southall made from his offending.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Pembroke Dock man accused of historical child sexual abuse
Anthony Kenniford, of Britannia Drive in Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court charged with ten offences against children between 2000 and 2008. Kenniford was accused of indecent assault against a boy aged under 14 on at least five occasions and two offences of inciting the boy to commit an act of gross indecency between 2000 and 2003. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. He was further charged with the rape and attempted rape of a second child in Pembroke Dock, as well as indecent assault and two offences of inciting the boy to commit an act of gross indecency. These allegations were dated between 2000 and 2003. The defendant was also accused of a further offence of inciting a third boy to commit an act of gross indecency in 2003, and engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a fourth boy in 2008. The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on May 27. The magistrates declined jurisdiction of the case and sent it on to Swansea Crown Court. Kenniford will appear on June 27 to enter his pleas, and was granted bail until that date.
Western Telegraph
6 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Pembroke Dock drug mule had 12 grams of heroin up his bottom
Prosecutor Caitlin Brazel told Swansea Crown Court that Mark Briskham and another man drove to the Swansea area to pick up a quantity of diamorphine – heroin – at around 9.30am on June 8 last year. Briskham was stopped by police in Llanteg on his way back home that afternoon. No drugs were found in the car or on either of the men, so they were both taken to Withybush Hospital for a scan. The passenger's scan was negative, but Briskham then refused to be examined. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. He was taken to the police station and kept under supervision, until he asked to go to the toilet and expelled a package containing 12.7 grams of diamorphine from his rectum. Ms Brazel said the heroin valued by an expert at £1,590 if sold in street deals. Briskham initially denied a charge of possession with intent to supply heroin, but admitted a charge of possession. However, he pleaded guilty on the morning of trial on a basis which was accepted by the prosecution. The defendant said he only wanted to buy seven grams of heroin for his own personal use. He had agreed to drive to pick the drugs up and bring them back, and would be supplied with seven grams out of the total haul when this was done. 'He's being used as a mule,' Judge Geraint Walters summarised. The court heard 52-year-old Briskham, of Cuckoo Wood in Pembroke Dock, had appeared in court 35 times for 112 offences – including twice for possession of cannabis resin and once for possession with intent to supply MDMA – a Class A drug. 'There has been a significant gap in his offending,' said Jon Tarrant, in mitigation. 'In the last 17 years or so there has been very little which the defendant has troubled the court.' Mr Tarrant said Briskham contacted the health board about his addiction issues following his arrest, and was now drug-free. He said the defendant 'welcomed' his period in custody after pleading guilty, adding that it had been 'a bit of a wake-up call' for him. 'He has other obligations he should be attending to in his life,' Mr Tarrant said. Judge Walters accused Briskham of having 'played cat and mouse' with the police after initially refusing to be examined in hospital and then not pleading guilty to possession with intent until the morning of trial. 'Amongst all Class A drugs, this is the most harmful of them all,' he said. 'Engaging in the activity of supplying it has to be treated as a serious matter.' Briskham was jailed for a total of 16 months.
