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South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Ashton Jones is fighting for his life in Thailand
Ashton Jones, 29, went on a last minute trip to Bangkok but was separated from his friends on a night out. His family have no idea what happened before he was found in a hospital having emergency brain surgery - and is now fighting for his life nearly 6,000 miles away from home. And to make it worse, Ashton didn't take out holiday insurance before jetting off 6,000 miles to Bangkok. Ashton's family have no idea what happened before he was found in hospital in Thailand (Image: Wales News Service) His worried grandmother Beverley Walker, of Cwmbran, Gwent, is desperately trying to raise money to pay for his medical care and bring him back home to Wales. She said that Ashton had travelled to Thailand with his lifelong friend on May 30, and on arrival met up with another friend. But five days into his trip, the family received the worst news that he had gone missing after a night out partying. His friends spent hours searching for Ashton after he went missing from the nightclub they were in. He was found in hospital in Thailand and medics believe Ashton, who suffers from epilepsy, was violently attacked. Ashton's grandmother, Beverley, is desperately trying to raise money to pay for his medical care and bring him back home to Wales (Image: Wales News Service) Beverley said: "I am deeply concerned that without immediate financial or diplomatic assistance, my grandson may not survive. "The emotional toll on our family is immense. We are heartbroken and fearful, watching from afar while Ashton suffers without the care he urgently requires." Beverley said on Monday, nearly a week after Ashton went into hospital on June 3, workers at Chonburi Hospital tried to wake him up. She added: "It was a success but he still has a long way to go, he's bed-bound and suffering with fits, cannot talk, eat or drink and isn't aware. "We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home." But Ashton's treatment and funding to bring him to the UK will cost the family thousands - which is way more than they can afford to pay. Ashton was separated from his friends on a night out in Bangkok (Image: Wales News Service) As he went out to Thailand at the last-minute, Beverley said he "did the unthinkable" and hadn't taken out any insurance. The family have set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise £50,000 to help cover medical expenses and to bring him home. So far, over £3,000 has been raised by 113 donors since the fundraiser was launched a day ago. Beverley said: "The hospital in Thailand is asking for the cost of his treatment on going that is far beyond what our family can afford. "In the meantime, Ashton's condition continues to deteriorate, and it feels as though we are being left helpless as time runs out. "We have already put together life savings for medical bills, flights, travel, accommodation to be with him but would never be able to afford to get him home to better health care and his family." "We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home. "So please, any donations made towards getting Ashton home is apprenticed beyond words can describe. "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you." You can donate to the fundraiser here. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are supporting a British man who has been hospitalised in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Welsh tourist vanishes on holiday and found on life support in hospital
Welsh tourist vanishes on holiday and found on life support in hospital It's thought 29-year-old Ashton Jones, from Cwmbran, was violently attacked after he became separated from his friends Ashton Jones is gravely ill in a Thai hospital (Image: Wales News Service ) A British tourist who mysteriously vanished on a night out in Thailand was found on life support in hospital – and his family fear he won't survive unless he is brought back home. Ashton Jones, 29, went on a last-minute trip to Bangkok but was separated from his friends on a night out. His family have no idea what happened before he was found in a hospital having emergency brain surgery – and is now fighting for his life nearly 6,000 miles away from home. And to make it worse Ashton didn't take out holiday insurance before jetting off 6,000 miles to Bangkok. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here. His worried grandmother Beverley Walker, of Cwmbran is desperately trying to raise money to pay for his medical care and bring him back home to Wales. She said Ashton had travelled to Thailand with a lifelong friend on May 30 and on arrival met up with another friend. Article continues below Ashton Jones with his grandmother Beverley Walker (Image: Wales News Service ) But five days into his trip the family received the worst news that he had gone missing after a night out partying. His friends spent hours searching for Ashton after he went missing from the nightclub they were in. He was found in hospital in Thailand and medics believe Ashton, who has epilepsy, was violently attacked. Beverley said: 'I am deeply concerned that without immediate financial or diplomatic assistance my grandson may not survive. 'The emotional toll on our family is immense. We are heartbroken and fearful, watching from afar while Ashton suffers without the care he urgently requires.' Beverley said on Monday, nearly a week after Ashton went into hospital on June 3, workers at Chonburi Hospital tried to wake him up. She added: 'It was a success but he still has a long way to go. He's bedbound and suffering with fits, cannot talk, eat, or drink and isn't aware. 'We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home.' Ashton's trip was only booked at the last minute and he didn't have any travel insurance (Image: Wales News Service ) But Ashton's treatment and funding to bring him to the UK will cost the family thousands, which is way more than they can afford to pay. As he went out to Thailand at short notice Beverley said he 'did the unthinkable' and travelled without taking out any insurance. The family have set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise £50,000 to help cover medical expenses and to bring him home. So far more than £3,000 has been raised by more than 100 donors since the fundraiser was launched. Beverley said: 'The hospital in Thailand is asking for the cost of his treatment on going that is far beyond what our family can afford. 'In the meantime Ashton's condition continues to deteriorate and it feels as though we are being left helpless as time runs out. 'We have already put together life savings for medical bills, flights, travel, accommodation to be with him but would never be able to afford to get him home to better health care and his family. 'We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home. 'So please any donations made towards getting Ashton home is appreciated beyond words can describe. 'From the bottom of our hearts thank you.' You can donate to the fundraiser here. Article continues below A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting a British man who has been hospitalised in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.' 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.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Fraudster nurse who put babies at risk banned from the profession
Fraudster nurse who put babies at risk banned from the profession Tanya Nasir was jailed after lying about her qualifications Tanya Nasir outside court (Image: Wales News Service ) A woman who lied about her qualifications to get a job as a senior nurse at a hospital in Wales where newborn sick babies were being treated has been struck off the nursing register. Tanya Nasir's actions "put vulnerable patients at a real risk of significant harm, which could have had catastrophic consequences," the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) found. The former registered nurse, who was jailed for five years for fraud, was banned from the profession officially after her case went before a panel. Nasir, 45, was found guilty of nine charges including fraud and securing access to unauthorised computer material following a five-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court between June and July last year and was sentenced to five years in prisoning at hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in October. An NMC professional standards committee heard that the charges arose while Nasir was employed as a band seven ward manager registered nurse at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend where she was "entrusted as a senior nurse with the responsibility for newborn babies at the neonatal unit". Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Nasir applied for roles that she was not qualified for by using faked documents "which put patients at a serious risk of harm", the committee was told. Nasir's actions were described as "calculated and premeditated" and it was said when it was revealed she had taken steps to further her deception by creating documents to try and cover it up. Article continues below When her attempted cover-ups failed she was reported her to the police by her employer. During her court case the jury was told that an investigation by the NHS Local Counter-Fraud Authority revealed Nasir's deception began in 2010 when she failed to disclose a conviction while studying at Buckinghamshire New University in breach of the university's fitness to practise policy. She subsequently fabricated a letter claiming to be from Hertfordshire Probation Service which said she was under no obligation to disclose her convictions. The letter convinced the university to allow her to continue her studies. Between 2013 and 2015 the defendant was employed as a staff nurse assistant at Hillingdon Hospital in London and went on to work at Spire Bushey Hospital in Watford before returning to Hillingdon. Following her appointment as a band seven ward manager at the Princess of Wales Hospital it was discovered that information provided by Nasir on her application form, and two applications for Hillingdon, were false. In total the court heard the defendant received more than £200,000 in wages at the two hospitals including just short of £95,000 at the Bridgend hospital. In her application she claimed she had qualified as a nurse and became registered with the Nursing Midwifery Council in 2010. But officers confirmed with the university that she did not qualify until 2014. You can read the details of her court case here. Nasir, who did not attend the NMC fitness to practise hearing on May 23 and was not represented and did not engage with the process despite being asked, had shown no evidence of insight or remorse for her actions, said NMC representative Naa-Adjeley Barnor. Ms Barnor told the panel that Nasir had "a longstanding history of acting dishonestly" which suggested "deep-seated and harmful attitudinal concerns which are not easily remediable". She said Nasir was highly likely to repeat the behaviour with "a significant risk of repetition in this case". In its written findings, now published online, the committee said: "Nasir was practising in a senior nursing position whilst managing a neonatal ward. However she was clearly unqualified and as such unable to practise safely. "The panel was satisfied that Ms Nasir put vulnerable patients at a real risk of significant harm, which could have had catastrophic consequences. "Beyond her own actions the panel was of the view that Ms Nasir's actions would have likely deprived someone who was qualified from obtaining the role. "It considered that Ms Nasir took steps to cover up the fraud when she realised it was being discovered. The panel was of the view that Ms Nasir's actions had been sophisticated and planned, which demonstrate deep-seated attitudinal issues. In light of this the panel was of the view that Ms Nasir's conduct was not easily remediable. "There is evidence of harmful deep-seated attitudinal issues and the panel is not satisfied that Ms Nasir has insight nor that she does not pose a significant risk of repeating her behaviour. The conduct, as highlighted by the facts found proved, was a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered nurse." The panel struck Nasir off after finding the following allegations proved. That: On July 16, 2024, at Cardiff Crown Court she was convicted of fraud, possession of articles for use in frauds, using a false instrument with intent, securing unauthorised access to computer material with intent, and using a false instrument with intent. The panel judged that as a result of this the former nurse's fitness to practise was impaired. Article continues below NMC rules mean the striking-off order cannot take effect until the end of a 28-day appeal period. The panel therefore made an interim suspension order which will be replaced by the substantive striking-off order to begin 28 days after Nasir is sent the decision of the hearing in writing.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Wales Online
April Jones' father dies without ever finding his daughter's body
April Jones' father dies without ever finding his daughter's body April Jones was just five years old when she was abducted near the family home in Machynlleth in 2012 Paul Jones (Image: Wales News Service ) The father of murdered child April Jones has died without his daughter's remains being found. Paul Jones previously suffered from encephalitis - a serious condition that causes swelling the brain. Aged in his mid-50s, Paul Jones died from the illness which he developed in 2018, six years after five-year-old April was abducted near the family home in Machynlleth. The disappearance of April in 2012 launched one of the biggest search operations in UK history, with an appeal by then-Prime Minister David Cameron and extensive efforts from police, rescue teams, and countless volunteers. However, April's body was never located, and local man Mark Bridger, then 46, was arrested and later imprisoned for her kidnap and murder. He has refused to tell police and her family what happened to April's body. Read more about what happened here. April Jones was just five when she went missing (Image: PA ) Paul's step-daughter Jazz Jones shared their family's grief on social media on Tuesday. According to the Mirror it reads: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) passed away early hours this morning. Article continues below "It was very unexpected and we are all in shock. "Harley and myself will update people with further information as we know more but please give us our privacy to mourn our loss." Another tribute from friend Allan Hughes on Facebook said: "Just heard of the sad passing of a truly amazing friend Paul Jones in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a lot of you knew him as the father of poor April Jones. Who was taken from us in 2012. "But myself and many more know him from being a great dad, son, brother and friend, also as part of the family. "We grew up together in Penarcau and had many adventures... Now you'll will be reunited with April and your mam Rest now peacefully Paul Jones. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family." Following Paul's brain diagnosis in 2018 April's mum, Coral, described having to remind him of what happened to their little girl. She explained how the condition caused him memory loss meaning he could not understand why the youngster had not visited him in hospital. Paul, then 49, broke down when Coral told him their precious five-year-old daughter had been killed, she said. Bridger was jailed for life for April's murder in 2013 when traces of her blood were found all over his home as well as bone fragments in his fireplace. But he has never revealed what he did with April's body, with police fearing she was dismembered and dumped around the Welsh countryside near his cottage home. Article continues below The body of April Jones was never found (Image: PA ) Investigators also found a cache of child porn on his computer - as well as pictures of April and other local children. He was handed a whole life tariff at Mold Crown Court after being found guilty of kidnap and murder at Mold Crown Court. Mr Justice Griffith Williams told him: "There is no doubt in my mind that you are a paedophile, who has for some time harboured sexual and morbid fantasies about young girls." He said father-of-six Bridger abducted April for a "sexual purpose" and disposed of her body "to hide the evidence of your sexual abuse of her."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Loverboy' prisoner finally back behind bars after double affair and week on the run
'Loverboy' prisoner finally back behind bars after double affair and week on the run Loverboy prisoner Harri Pullen has been put back behind bars following an escape from hospital, just months after he served time for relationships with two prison staff (Image: SWNS) A loverboy prisoner who had flings with two prison staff spent a week on the run after escaping in handcuffs from hospital - and has now been put back behind bars. Gang member Harri Pullen, 27, had alleged romances with a prison officer and jail nurse during a four-year stretch. He was freed after serving his time behind bars but returned to his life of crime - and has now been jailed for a further six years. Harri Pullen is back behind bars (Image: Wales News Service) Former prison nurse Elyse Hibbs, 27, was previously jailed for her inappropriate relationship with Pullen when he was behind bars. ADVERTISEMENT Ruth Shmylo, 26, was sacked from her job as a prison officer over the alleged romance with Pullen after he called her for phone sex from his cell but cleared of criminality during a trial. A court heard Pullen had been free for a matter of months when he was injured resisting officers who caught him drug-dealing on an e-bike and he was taken to hospital for checks. Pullen was injured resisting officers during his arrest (Image: Wales News Service) Pullen was still wearing handcuffs when he made a run through the carpark and ambulance bays of the hospital in Cwmbran, Gwent, and jumped into a "getaway car" to flee. He then spent a week at large and was eventually discovered hiding in a countryside farmhouse outside Newport. Pullen had been arrested after plain-clothed cops saw two men acting suspiciously riding an e-bike through Newport city centre. ADVERTISEMENT Pullen was taken to hospital, where he later escaped (Image: Wales News Service) Prosecutor Alex Granville said Pullen was found with five wraps of crack cocaine, a burner phone, an iPhone and £90 inside a black bum bag. He said: "The defendant was conveyed to custody but after complaining of head pain he was transported by police for medical care." Mr Granville said that while at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Gwent, four women family members tried to visit Pullen but were told they were "unable to stay." He added: "Having been taken out to the van he asked to use the toilet so was taken back inside. Upon having used the toilet and exiting the building the defendant ran off from officers. "They proceeded to run after the defendant. He ran through the car park and ambulance park, down the ramp and towards the exit of the hospital. ADVERTISEMENT "After about 20 seconds of running the officers were about 20 meters behind the defendant who was still in handcuffs in a front position. "At this point a vehicle appeared to reverse up the ramp from the exit of the hospital, the passenger door was opened and the defendant got in and it left at high speed." Newport Crown Court heard that when Pullen was eventually discovered at a farm he tried to flee again - this time driving off in a Mercedes but police followed the car to a cul-de-sac. Pullen tried to flee on foot but was "red-dotted" with a taser and "eventually complied" when a police dog joined the hunt. Julia Cox, defending, said Pullen was "immature" and suffered from "hypochondria" believing that he has had a brain tumour for approximately four years. ADVERTISEMENT She added: "This was not anything that was pre-planned. It was more opportunistic than that." "It was upon his family's attendance at the hospital he in his words 'lost his head'." Pullen pleaded guilty to 11 charges including possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, dangerous driving, and escaping lawful custody. Pullen appeared via videolink from Cardiff Prison and played with his hair and chatted with prison officers throughout the hearing. Judge Daniel Williams jailed Pullen, of no fixed abode, for a total of six years He told him: "Police saw you on an electric bike with another in the centre of Newport on March 26. "You were riding the bike and in possession of crack cocaine, some five wraps, as well as a quantity of cash and two phones, one of which was a burner phone. "In custody you complained of head pain so you were taken to Grange Hospital where when you were walking to the police van having left hospital you made off. "You got into what's best described as a getaway car and spent seven days at large. "You were ultimately arrested on the 2nd April but not before you involved yourself in a police chase of sorts." At the end of the hearing Pullen said: "Thank you and I apologise." Ruth Shmylo (Image: Wales News Service) During Shmylo's trial in December 2023 the court heard Pullen had been moved to HMP Manchester - also known as Strangeways - and added her to his approved calls list but their conversations were recorded by officials. The calls, played to the court, included Pullen repeatedly telling her "I love you." She was sacked from her job after other complaints involving "flirtatious" behaviour with inmates and wearing "skin-tight trousers" to work. But the court heard she had previously made corruption reports of her own against other staff who were colluding with inmates to tamper with prisoner's food. Claire Wilks, defending, said Shmylo should have been treated as a whistleblower but was instead "hung out to dry" by bosses at the controversial HMP Parc and called "a grass" by her colleagues and assaulted. Ms Wilks said it was no surprise that given her previous treatment at the jail she wouldn't report phone calls with Pullen as she feared the consequences. Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe told the court that after being arrested Shmylo admitted she had phone sex with Pullen. Mr Cobbe said: "She conceded during the course of her interview that she had had phone sex with the inmate. "She explained this was principally the inmate saying things to her, noting that 'I was listening for the best part of it'. "That means she was actively engaging in phone sex with the inmate - or some of it." Shmylo told the jury she cried when Pullen tried to initiate phone sex. Ms Wilks asked her: "Did you have any sexual arousal from the phone calls?" Shmylo answered: "No. The first time when I came to be aware Harri was masturbating I asked him to stop. I repeatedly asked him to stop and I cried. "It made him really angry and his exact words were: 'You're making out like I'm kind of nonce. "It was like I had insulted him because I was crying and I was repeatedly saying: 'I'm not doing this I'm not doing this.'" Shmylo, of Treforest, Pontypridd was cleared of one charge of misconduct in a public office. Elyse Hibbs (Image: Wales News Service) Nurse Hibbs claimed she was "pressurised" into flirting with Pullen - but a judge sent her to prison for six months. After being released Hibbs was taken to disciplinary hearing by the Nursing Midwifery Council to decide if she was fit to carrying on her career. The hearing found that her "fitness to practise" was impaired by her conviction, and she was handed a 12 months suspension order. This means that she may practice nursing again once the 12 months order is lifted to carry on her career. Qualified health worker Hibbs met the prisoner while giving him medical treatment in her jail and he contacted her on Instagram. Mr Cobbe said: "The calls between them were flirtatious. They talk about the prison, staff within the prison, he tells her that he loves her and she tells him he doesn't know her to love her. "He tells her that he loves her and she tells him that she loves him too. The calls included references to the defendant's existing partner and the inmate continuously suggested he would replace him and be in a relationship with her." Cardiff Crown Court heard the two swapped messages on Instagram by contacting each other through an account held by the inmate's friend. Hibbs quit her post at HMP Parc in July 2021 and was arrested a week later and admitted exchanging messages with Pullen. She told police she was scared to end the contact after he had previously threatened her. Mr Cobbe said: "She explained that she and the inmate were never in a sexual relationship of any kind at all. "She accepted she should have reported the matter but that she got in too deep and couldn't get out." Hibbs, of Newbridge, Gwent, admitted misconduct in a public office. Adam Sharp, defending Hibbs, said the prisoner was known within the system to be a "particularly manipulative individual". He said: "She was young, impressionable, inexperienced and vulnerable to the malign influence of the inmate who sought to exploit her." Mr Sharp said Hibbs had "dedicated a significant part of her adult life" to nursing but her conviction meant she would be banned from the profession. Recorder of Cardiff Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, told Hibbs: "You knew what you were doing was wrong, you had training but nevertheless you went ahead and formed what was clearly an emotional relationship with this prisoner. "Although you were young you held a position of responsibility as a nurse and as a member of prison staff. You failed to report initial contact despite advice from a colleague and training you had had. "You engaged in flirtatious relationship initially, you failed to report the on-going contact and you failed to report that this inmate had upon him and in custody an unlawful device."
