Latest news with #Weale
South Wales Argus
01-08-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Monmouth man to take on one of world's toughest triathlons
Sam Weale, 44, from Monmouth, will attempt the Enduroman Arch 2 Arc triathlon this August in support of 16-year-old Will Taylor. Will, son of Mr Weale's friend Sam Taylor, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The challenge involves running 87 miles from London to Dover, swimming at least 21 miles across the English Channel, and cycling 181 miles from Calais to Paris. Mr Weale said: "Will is such a friendly, determined young man, and the whole family inspired me with their tireless efforts to raise funds for the charity. "I've been lucky in my life and seeing everything they do, despite the challenges they face, made me want to do something to help." He hopes to raise more than £10,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK. The family has already raised more than £250,000 for the charity through events like the Iron Will Triathlon. Mr Weale met the Taylors in 2022 through his cousin while preparing for a swim across Lake Windermere. Mr Taylor supported him during that swim, and the two have stayed in touch since. He said: "My cousin introduced me to Sam Taylor back in 2022. "I needed someone to support me when I swam Lake Windermere and Sam was kind enough to be my paddle support. "I met the rest of Sam's family, including his son Will, and from that moment on, I vowed to do something to help." The Arch 2 Arc is considered one of the most challenging triathlons in the world and has only been completed by 60 athletes. Mr Weale has focused much of his training on swimming, including two camps in Lanzarote and a swim across the Bristol Channel. He said the English Channel swim will be the toughest part of the challenge. The timing of the challenge depends on sea conditions, with a swim window between August 6 and 10. Susanne Driffield, community fundraising manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: "The money raised in support of Will and his family will make a real difference."
Powys County Times
11-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Two charged with drugs offences following Llandrindod raid
TWO Powys men have been charged with multiple drugs offences following a police raid at a garage in Llandrindod Wells last week. Scott Weale, 27, and Lee Wall, 33, both appeared at Mold Magistrates' Court on Friday, June 6, and were remanded into custody until the next hearing, which is due to be held at Mold Crown Court on July 4. Weale, of Llethyr Bryn, Llandrindod, and Wall, of Llwynbrain Villas, Howey, were both arrested following a number of warrants executed by Dyfed Powys Police last Wednesday, June 4. 'Dyfed-Powys Police executed a number of warrants at properties in the Llandrindod Wells area and, as a result, two men were arrested, charged and appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on June 6,' said the force in a statement. 'Scott Weale has been charged with being concerned in the supply class A drugs; possession of Class B drugs; possession of a Section 1 firearm without a certificate; possession of ammunition without a certificate; and possession of criminal property. 'Lee Wall is charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs; possession with the intent to supply Class A drugs; and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.' Weale is charged with seven offences in total. These include possessing a controlled drug of Class B (ketamine) on December 14, 2024. It is alleged Weale was in possession of 11.1 grams of ketamine. Two more charges relating to December 14 include acquiring criminal property; it is said he had in his possession £3,570 in cash. He is also charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine between December 12-14. Weale is accused of acquiring criminal property on June 4, relating to being in possession of £1,605 in cash. On the same day it is alleged he was in possession of a firearm – a 9mm Turkish EKOL manufactured blank firing pistol – without a certificate; and also was in possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate. Lastly, it is alleged he was in possession of MDMA, a Class A drug, on June 4. Wall is charged with three offences: being concerned in the supply of cocaine between October 8, 2024, and May 16, 2025; possess with intent to supply cocaine (64 grams) and possess with intent to supply cannabis (it is said he was in possession of 13 grams of cannabis). The latter two charges relate to June 4. No pleas were entered at last week's hearing, with magistrates sending the matters to the higher court.
Powys County Times
09-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Llandrindod Wells dad stabbed after drug deal went wrong
A Powys dad is lucky to still be alive after being stabbed multiple times after a drug deal went wrong, police say. Scott Weale suffered four stab wounds to the chest and lower back near his family home during the lead-up to Christmas. Ricco Douglas, 25, was jailed for more than five years after pleading guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm using Weale's own knife which he grabbed during a scuffle. The horrifying attack unfolded in a residential street in Llethyr Bryn, Llandrindod Wells on December 14 which led to armed police attending, and the area cordoned off by crime scene investigators who were treating the incident as an attempted murder. Dyfed-Powys Police said it would "always" respond to community concerns in Llandrindod Wells, adding that Douglas' sentencing proves that their officers "will not tolerate violent on our streets". Newport Crown Court was told that Ricco Douglas travelled from his home in Birmingham on the day of the stabbing to meet with Mr Weale in order to obtain or exchange cocaine. Within 14 mins of being in Llandrindod Wells, Douglas had stabbed his victim. It was believed the attacked took place after as a result of the drug deal going wrong. Douglas was arrested three days later after police used a stinger to stop his car in the Birmingham area. An abandoned vehicle, belonging to Douglas' stepmother, was found on the night of the stabbing with traces of the victim's and the defendant's blood inside. Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Chief Superintendent Ross Evans said: 'This was a violent incident which occurred on a residential street, just before Christmas last year. "It was highly fortunate that there was no loss of life which would have deprived a family of a loved one. 'We know this incident has been a shock for the local community, in particular for those most affected. 'We welcome the sentencing of Ricco Douglas and hope it provides clear reassurance to everyone that we will not tolerate violence on our streets." DCS Evans added: "I would like to thank all the first responders and the staff at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, on the night for the level of care and treatment provided to the victim, which may well have saved his life. "I would also like to thank our police officers and staff, who demonstrated great determination to bring the offender to justice on behalf of the victim and his family and the wider community.' DCS Evans appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity and crimes which can help officers gain vital intelligence, which ensures perpetrators of crime are caught and brought to justice. He added: 'To help us prevent such incidents, I am appealing to anyone with information about any type of serious crime to let us know. "You can speak to local officers, report online or do so completely anonymously via Crimestoppers. 'We will always respond to community concerns, and it is important to remember that we rely on the support of the public of Llandrindod Wells and Powys to keep our local area safe'.
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Birmingham man jailed for stabbing Powys man four times
Ricco Douglas, 25, took a knife being held by Scott Weale and stabbed him twice in the front and twice in the back after an argument in a car in Llethyr Bryn in Llandrindod Wells last year, a court heard on Monday (June 9). Mr Weale managed to stagger home before collapsing and being rushed to hospital in Cardiff with "life-threatening" stab wounds, including a collapsed lung. Douglas, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, was jailed for five years and three months by a judge at Newport Crown Court on Monday (June 9) after admitting wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He had initially been charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, but no evidence was offered on those charges. The court was told that at around 8pm on December 14, Douglas and Mr Weale had been in a car arguing over a drug deal. The pair were not known associates but knew Brecon drug dealer Callum Samuel, who served prison time with Douglas, and was in contact with the 25-year-old before and after the stabbing, the court was told. The argument continued outside the vehicle which led to Mr Weale chasing Douglas with a knife before the pair grappled and Douglas disarmed the other man. READ MORE: Police make arrest in Llandrindod attempted murder case He then stabbed him four times with his own knife. Mr Weale managed to run home where his friend Liam Langley had been waiting to collect his wages, and threw his keys to him and "in a panicked and shaken voice" told him to lock the door, prosecuting barrister Mr Jones told the court. Mr Langley saw his friend's shirt was soaking with blood, and was told 'I don't feel good. I think I've been hit" before passing out in the kitchen. Mr Langley called 999 and Mr Weale's family while applying pressure to his wounds fearing that he was watching his friend bleeding out and struggling to breathe. Emergency services received a 'red call' and rushed Mr Weale to Cardiff in a land ambulance on blue lights, arriving an hour-and-a-half later. Surgeons removed a one-litre blood clot from his chest, fixed a collapsed left lung and closed his stab wounds, which measured from two to five centimetres in length. Mr Weale spent eight days in hospital before going home in time for Christmas. He did not engage with the court proceedings, the judge was told. Dyfed-Powys Police officers who secured the scene found blood in the street, bank notes and traces of cocaine. Newport Crown Court (Image: Archive) Douglas fled immediately after the stabbing in a black Ford Kuga, which was seen by police in Worcestershire at 9.50pm before driving off at speed. The car, Douglas' stepmother's, was later found abandoned in Birmingham with the keys still inside. Red staining on a handle was found to be the victim's blood, and Douglas' fingerprints and blood were also found. Three days after the stabbing, on December 17, police stung Douglas' Audi A3 along Coventry Road in Birmingham before handcuffing and arresting him on suspicion of attempted murder. On his fifth and final interview at Newtown Police Station, Douglas provided a prepared statement claiming the stabbing was in self-defence. Newport Crown Court was told that Douglas had convictions for robberies during a ten-year period which started when he was 15 years old. The stabbing in Llandrindod Wells happened months after he was released from prison on licence for robbery at knifepoint. Defence barrister Michael Mather-Lees told the judge that the "intelligent lad" was initially unarmed when Mr Weale chased him in the street. "He disarms Mr Weale amid a violent struggle. He was defending himself, but he went over the top," the barrister said. "They were plainly excessive actions, and he accepts that. He added: "You have got a victim who has a dubious background and substantially armed. There is credence for [Douglas'] version of events. It doesn't excuse it, and we know why they were there. "He accepts that he has behaved excessively and is looking at a substantial sentence. "He says in a very intelligent letter that he accepts his immaturity and has made very substantial mistakes behaving badly in the past." Judge Daniel Williams told Douglas that that the prosecution didn't challenge his version of events. "Scott Weale was found bleeding and with a collapsed lung; wounds which could be life threatening and required immediate treatment," he said. "The harm caused to Mr Weale was particularly grave or life-threatening with severe stab wounds to the chest." After reflecting Douglas' age and positive references, the judge sentenced him to five years and three months in custody, which half will be spent behind bars.
Powys County Times
09-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Birmingham man jailed for stabbing Powys man four times
A drug dealer stabbed a Powys man four times near his home days before Christmas, leaving him with life-threatening injuries. Ricco Douglas, 25, travelled from his home in Birmingham to Llandrindod Wells on December 14 last year. But an argument over a drug deal with Scott Weale led to a scuffle and unarmed Douglas managed to disarm Mr Weale who had a knife. Douglas then stabbed Mr Weale twice in the chest and twice in the back before fleeing home to the West Midlands where he was caught by police days later. Mr Weale was rushed to hospital in Cardiff with 'life-threatening' stab wounds and needed four hours of surgery. Douglas, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, was jailed for five years and three months by a judge at Newport Crown Court on Monday (June 9) for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He had initially been charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, but those charges were dropped and he pleaded guilty to the wounding with intent offence.
