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Wales Online
05-07-2025
- Wales Online
Locked Up: The criminals justice caught up with in June and what happened to them
Locked Up: The criminals justice caught up with in June and what happened to them Here are the faces of the criminals who have been jailed for the most serious crimes in Wales in the past month People across Wales were jailed for serious crimes in Wales during June Here are the faces of 80 people who have been jailed for the most serious crimes in Wales in the past month. They include a man with a warped mind who was sent down for life after launching an attack on officers at a police station. A 21-year-old man was also jailed after murdering a "generous, caring and thoughtful" father-of-three, leaving a family devastated. There was also a former teacher who raped a woman at a house party more than 20 years ago in an act the judge described as "truly wicked". The list also includes a former police employee who accessed unauthorised information on police computers to help her drug dealer boyfriend along with a number of men who were jailed for horrific crimes against their ex-partners. One man punched and kicked his partner before strangling her teenage daughter who tried to protect her. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . Here are the criminals and their crimes: Alexander Dighton Alexander Stephen Dighton (Image: South Wales Police ) He attacked police officers with a firebomb and a knife in a rage against authority. Alexander Dighton, from Pontyclun, launched an attack on officers at Talbot Green Police Station in January this year. Article continues below During the crazed incident, he wore body armour under a tweed jacket and he threw a Molotov cocktail at one police car, set another alight using petrol, smashed a van's windows with a pole before launching an attack on officers. During his sentencing at the Old Bailey, Dighton, 28, gave an insight into his warped mind as he launched into a tirade about Boris Johnson's lockdown parties, transgender clinics for children and grooming gangs. He was jailed for life with a minimum of 22 years in prison for the attack. Read the full story from the sentencing here. Georgie Tannetta Georgie Tannetta (Image: South Wales Police ) He was sent down for life for murdering a "generous, caring and thoughtful" father. There were shouts of "yes" from the courtroom as 21-year-old Georgie Tannetta was sentenced. A judge said the killer's actions had been a " cowardly attack borne of your hair trigger temper and fixation with knives." Tannetta swung a 15-inch knife at father-of-three James Brogan, 43, in a Cardiff park and caused a fatal stab injury to his arm. He was described as waving the blade "with no fear" and left the victim "covered in blood" before he collapsed. The court heard the killer carried out a "revenge attack" after he and Mr Brogan had previously been involved in a scuffle at a friend's house and he had made a threat to stab his eventual victim. In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Brogan's daughter Sophie said her father's death had 'left a hole in our lives' and has "devastated the family". Daniel Gravell Daniel Gravell from Carmarthen has been jailed for nine years (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) The former teacher has been jailed after a woman he raped more than 20 years ago while she was still a teenager came forward and gave evidence in court which helped to send him to prison. Daniel Gravell, aged 43, was found guilty of raping the then-19-year-old-woman at a house in Carmarthen in 2002. Sentencing Gravell, the judge condemned his attack, describing it as a 'truly wicked, and terrible thing to do to another human being'. Reading a statement in court, the rape victim explained how she was 'extremely vulnerable' on the night she was raped, and recalled an 'overwhelming sense of powerlessness' when Gravell carried out the attack that she described as 'unforgiveable'. He also admitted to an offence of voyeurism against a separate woman in relation to an incident which happened in 2021. On that occasion, he had consensual sex with the woman but took "explicit" pictures of her without consent inside her own home. Read more about the sentencing and case here. Alex Rickwood Alex Rickwood (Image: South Wales Police ) He was jailed for killing 'most beautiful, caring' grandmother when he mounted the pavement she was jogging along. Catherine Bradford died at the scene after Alex Rickwood lost control of the MG ZR car he was uninsured to drive in Dowlais. Rickwood, now 32, was described by witnesses as driving 'like a lunatic' as he failed to negotiate a sweeping bend while driving well above the 30mph speed limit. A sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court heard a number of heartbreaking victim impact statements from Mrs Bradford's family, who described their pain as 'beyond belief'. Rickwood was driving the car, which had an expired MOT, when he approached the brow of the hill and said 'oh f**' as he realised he had lost control of the vehicle. Witnesses at the scene heard Rickwood say, 'f*** I've hit her, I've killed her,' Lucy Langmead Lucy Langmead (Image: South Wales Police ) The former police employee accessed unauthorised information on police computers to help her drug dealer boyfriend. Lucy Langmead, 44, was employed as a police administrator by South Wales Police when she began a relationship with Daniel Cozens, below, a drug dealer with contacts in the drug world. The mother-of-three had been employed at Pontypridd police station since 2005 and began a relationship with convicted drug dealer Cozens in 2021. She helped her boyfriend by accessing sensitive data on the police national computer, which she passed on to him and he then passed on to his associates. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Langmead also accessed information to feed her own "morbid" curiosity, including information on the murder of five-year-old Logan Mwangi in the early stages of the investigation. Sending her to prison, the judge said she had "done serious harm to policing and the public interest." Daniel Cozens Daniel Cozens, 37 (Image: South Wales Police ) He was jailed after asking his police employee girlfriend Lucy Langmead to access information about him and his associates on police computers. She later resigned after being arrested. After the pair were jailed, the CPS said: "Lucy Langmead had the complete trust of her employer in having access to sensitive information and she betrayed that trust. Her actions could have placed criminal investigations at risk. 'Daniel Cozens used his relationship with Langmead to try to gain an advantage over the police in his criminal behaviour." Dean Bradley Dean Bradley (Image: South Wales Police ) DNA found on a schoolgirl's underwear led to this respectable "family man" being unmasked as a "monster". Dean Bradley abused a primary-school aged girl and his offending came to light when the girl's mum noticed a "yellow-white discharge" on her daughter's knickers. The concerned mum spoke to the girl who broke down and made disclosures about the defendant performing sex acts on her and showing her "sick, weird" videos of people having sex. The girl said the abuse had happened on a number of occasions. The court heard Bradley, 36, of Neath, later told someone the child was "like my little girlfriend". Adam Ford, Connor Loddo and Unotidashe Nikisi Adam Ford, Connor Loddo and Unotidashe Nikisi (Image: South Wales Police ) The three men pummelled their defenceless victim in a drunken high street assault which left him with a broken jaw, nose, and in need of a permanent mouth brace which he might have to wear for the rest of his life. The trio, aged between 23 and 25, had never previously been in trouble but their actions on a night out have landed them in jail. Connor Loddo, Adam Ford and Unotidashe Nikisi decided to attack George Clark in July 2022 on St Mary Street, Cardiff. CCTV footage showed them circling the victim, who had little chance to defend himself, before they dragged him to the floor. Once Clark was on the floor the men took it in turns to kick Clark and stamp on his head in a horrific incident which could have killed him. The relatives of the three men cried in the public gallery as they were sent down. Clayton Kennedy Clayton Kennedy (Image: South Wales Police ) He sexually abused a teenage girl after exposing himself to her and messaged her incessantly to pressure her into performing oral sex on him. Clayton Kennedy, 30, of Grangetown, Cardiff, tried to bribe his victim into performing sex acts by offering to buy her a new mobile phone and give her money. The victim described how the abuse she suffered had left her feeling "anxious" and she stopped going to school and seeing friends. Kennedy was sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment. David Llewellyn David Llewellyn (Image: South Wales Police ) He sexually assaulted two teenage women by touching them on their bottoms. Paedophile David Llewellyn, 39, whispered sexualised comments towards his victims as he assaulted him. After one of the assaults, he told the victim: "Come on, you love it." One of the victims said she suffered sleepless nights as a result of the assault and was scared to go out at night. Llewellyn had previously been found with indecent images of children. Hayley Hughes Hayley Hughes (Image: South Wales Police ) She tried to speed off after police spotted her dealing drugs in Swansea city centre but was foiled by a dead-end street. Hayley Hughes, 42, from Portmead, had been stopped in April by patrolling plain-clothed officers who had witnessed her in what appeared to be a drug deal. She quickly sped off when officers approached but drove down a dead end street. She was found in possession of two ounces of cocaine split into individual deal amounts, 3.35 grams of amphetamine, and more than £500 in cash. Her mobile phone was analysed which revealed her heavy involvement in the supply of cocaine to Swansea communities. Kyle Tho mas Kyle Thomas (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) He viciously beat his friend with weapons, tried to break his knees, covered him in bleach, and threatened to cut off his penis over a rumour that was not true. Kyle Thomas, 35, subjected his victim to a "merciless" and "savage" beating involving the use of multiple weapons, and left him "scared witless". Swansea Crown Court heard Thomas had been told that the victim was a "nonce", though there was no evidence to back up that rumour. He told police his motto was: 'Hit first, ask questions later'. After attacking the victim, Thomas also smashed up the Brynamman flat before stealing his phone, leaving him unable to call for help. The victim said he believed Thomas was intending to kill him during the assault and that the hours he spent drifting in and out of consciousness afterwards had been terrifying. Cody Price Cody Price (Image: South Wales Police ) The teenager met a 13-year-old girl after asking her to perform oral sex on him but ran away when he saw her friends hiding in bushes. Cody Price, 19, contacted his victim over Snapchat and after she told him she was 13 years old, he asked to meet up with her so she could perform oral sex on him. The victim told older friends about the messages and they decided to go along with the arrangements and confront Price, who ran away when he noticed that they were being followed. The court heard of a number of other offences, including the burglary and theft of a car, committed by Price, of St Mellons, Cardiff. He was sent to prison. Curtis and Sarah Price Curtis and Sarah Price (Image: South Wales Police ) This husband and wife were exposed as drug dealers involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine which they kept at an industrial estate in Merthyr Tydfil. When they were arrested at the unit, the couple's children were present, having been taken by their parents to the unit. When the defendants and the unit were searched, three mobiles, £350 in cash and drug apparatus were seized. Thousands of pounds worth of drugs, including cocaine and heroine, were also found. The court heard that Curtis Price wanted to "give his children a better life" while Sarah Price's involvement stemmed from her "naivety". Michael Brewer Michael Brewer (Image: South Wales Police ) The "devious paedophile" sexually abused a young boy under the guise of teaching him sexual education Michael Brewer, 75, of St Athan, began sexually abusing his male victim when he was just 12 years old. He did this by masturbating himself in front of the boy, telling him he was teaching him about sex. Brewer was previously convicted of sexually assaulting a child under 13 but was given another prison sentence to run consecutively alongside his current one. In a victim personal statement, the victim said: "Even now I am dealing with the after effects of emotional triggers, sleepless nights and the loss of childhood... It doesn't disappear and lives with me every day." Ricco Douglas Ricco Douglas (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) The drug dealer repeatedly stabbed a man and left him with life threatening injuries in a drug deal "gone awry". Ricco Douglas, 25, travelled 100 miles from his home in Birmingham to Llandrindod Wells to meet the victim, who suffered substantial bleeding in his chest and a collapsed lung which required him to undergo hours of surgery to save his life. Douglas met Scott Wheel to conduct a cocaine deal but matters went terribly wrong and Mr Wheel drew a blade which Douglas disarmed him of and used to stab him four times to the chest and back. Gareth Evans Gareth Evans (Image: South Wales Police ) The pensioner was caught with enough heroin for 700 street deals. A judge said it was clear that 70-year-old Gareth Evans was running a "widespread and financially-thriving business" from his Merthyr home. Police stopped a vehicle being drive by Evans earlier this year and recovered five wraps of brown powder from the car, leading them to search his home. The heroin found in the property was worth more than £21,000. Thomas Throssell Thomas Throssell (Image: South Wales Police ) He repeatedly punched and kicked his partner before strangling her teenage daughter who intervened to protect her mother. Thomas Throssell, 25, later punched and destroyed a bathroom mirror before fleeing. The incident happened after an argument between the couple after Throssell tried to use the victim's home address in Cardiff for his Universal Credit application. Throssell grabbed his partner's hair and held her down for two minutes before kicking her. When her daughter intervened, he squeezed her throat for a minute and she described it as being so "tight" she thought he was "going to kill her". Ian Andrews Ian Andrews (Image: Gwent Police ) The stalker made his ex's life a complete misery because he couldn't deal with the fact his partner had left him. Ian Andrews, of Tredegar, 'relentlessly' stalked his ex until she became so exhausted she was too unwell to go to work or leave her own home. Newport Crown Court heard the defendant would continue to leave 'gifts' at the victim's house and at her workplace and kept creating new profiles on social media to message her. He even fitted a tracker to her car. The victim said she was left "looking over" her shoulder whenever she left the house. He has previous convictions for harassment and offences of a similar nature. Dani el Barnham Daniel Barnham (Image: South Wales Police ) He was carrying a steak knife, a sock full of rocks and a lock knife when he shouted his support for the KKK white supremacist group as he racially abused and assaulted a police officer. Daniel Barnham, 31, from Merthyr, was being arrested for carrying two knives in public when he kicked the officer to the chest and launched into a vile tirade. When being put into the back of a police van in March, Barnham started resisting and called PC Tatlah the n-word as well as expressing support for the Ku Klux Klan race hate group. He later apologised for abusing the officer and claimed he was not really a racist but had just been angry. Jamie Hancock Jamie Hancock (Image: South Wales Police ) He bombarded his ex with 1,000 calls and threatened to disfigure her "so nobody wants you". Jamie Hancock, 32, started contacting his ex after getting out of prison for harassing her. He made a series of lurid threats to his ex including telling her he was going to "smash up" her face so nobody else would want her. When police found out about the calls, they visited the victim's home and saw that her phone was ringing "non stop". She said she was so scared she was "unable to live life properly". Scarlett Lee Scarlett Lee (Image: South Wales Police ) The paedophile breached a court when she was found with a folder of animated images depicting child sex abuse. Scarlett Lee, 30, previously known as Scott Henwood, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) when she was convicted of possessing a prohibited image of a child. After a support worker alerted the authorities to a message of a sexual nature being found on Lee's phone, police examined her devises and a folder containing 80 animated images depicting adults engaging in sexual activity with children was found. Sending her to prison, the judge said there was "no or little realistic prospect of rehabilitation". Neal Hancock Neal Hancock (Image: South Wales Police ) This "dangerous" stalker is back behind bars after trying to contact one of his victims on social media months after he was released from prison. Last year Neal Hancock was jailed for breaching a restraining order following a lengthy and sinister campaign of harassment against three people. Now Hancock is back in prison after breaching the restraining order again, this time by approaching one of his victims on Instagram something he is prohibited from doing. In an interview with WalesOnline, his victims have bravely opened up about the devastating impact his behaviour has had on their lives. The stalking began six years ago after Bethan Sims, from Port Talbot accidentally sent a text message in response to a man on the dating app Plenty of Fish. Her mother, Kathryn Sims said it has been six years of a "nightmare". Julian Jakeman Julian Jakeman (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) He claimed he was a paedophile hunter when he had arranged to abuse a five-year-old girl in a rented Airbnb property. Julian Jakeman, 39, had discussed his plans to abuse the girl with someone he believed to be her father but who was actually an online undercover police officer. A search of his phone also found 51 indecent images. Sending him to prison, the judge said his paedophile hunter claims were "laughable" and said the reality was that no meaningful work could be done with him until he accepted the fact he was a paedophile. David Taylor David Taylor (Image: South Wales Police ) The "predatory paedophile" sent sexualised messages to individuals he thought were teenage girls and asked them if they could do "naked stuff". David Taylor, 43, of Barry was described as having an "appalling" record for paedophilic offences, including indecent assaulting and inciting children into sexual activity. He was reported to the police by a "vigilante paedophile hunting group" after he had spoken to two decoys who he believed were 15 and 14-year-old girls respectively. Taylor told one of the decoys he was there to "educate her", gave descriptions of masturbation, said he was masturbating, and asked her to open her legs and "rub" between them. He asked another decoy if she wanted to meet up to do "naked stuff". As a result of his actions, he was in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which had been imposed by the courts and was sent to prison for seven years. James Berry James Berry, 31 (Image: South Wales Police ) The drug dealer was found in possession of crack cocaine and cannabis when a raid was carried out at his home. As well as the drug paraphernalia, a search of James Berry's home also uncovered a machete. The street value of the crack cocaine found at his home is thought to have been between £1,200 and £1,400. Tyrone Harding Tyrone Harding (Image: South Wales Police ) The paedophile was banned from every park in Swansea but he was spotted by an off-duty policeman sitting on a park bench near children playing. Tyrone Harding, 46, had only been out of prison for a matter of days following his last conviction when he was spotted by the officer who was walking his dog. The court heard that he has been consistently committing sexual offences and refusing to abide by conditions imposed on him over the last decade. Mark Workman Mark Workman (Image: South Wales Police ) He attacked a police officer and attempted to fire a taser at him. Mark Workman, 44, was suffering from alcohol-induced psychosis when wrestled a taser from a police officer's grip and attempted to taser him before using it to strike him repeatedly. The officer had to call for back up after his attacker took hold of the weapon, and later required hospital treatment. Workman, of Aberaman later told officers he had no recollection of the incident, but said he had acted "out of order". Gareth Neale Gareth Neale (Image: South Wales Police ) He ransacked a house while a woman hid under her bed covers fearing for her life after she was awoken in the middle of the night to the sound of loud banging downstairs. She hid under the covers and called police as quietly as possible. When officers arrived at the home in the Fairwater area of Cardiff earlier this year they found serial burglar Gareth Neale, 47, who is homeless rummaged through her property without even caring about doing so quietly. When they asked what he was doing, Neale said he "just wanted some food and a few bits". He has 57 previous convictions for 132 offences. 76 of them are theft or dishonesty offences and 17 of them for drug offences. Kian Gwyther Kian Gwyther (Image: South Wales Police ) The 23-year-old drug dealer was caught in a house with a teenage "modern slave". Teenagers investigating drug supply in the Penlan area of Swansea arrived at an address where they found Kian Gwyther with a stash of cocaine and a burner phone hidden in a pillow case. A jacket belonging to him was also found to contain four snap-bags of cocaine, a Nokia phone, and £20 in cash. Texts recovered from the phones showed messages relating to the supply of "pure" - a common term for cocaine - and officers also found the device had been sending out bulk texts to up to 40 contacts at a time. A 17-year-old male was also found in the property who was subsequently determined to be the victim of modern slavery. Sinead Sandell Sinead Sandell (Image: Gwent Police ) She had a long history of theft offences and this time she approached a woman in the street and punched her in the head before taking her mobile phone and walking off. Sinead Sandell, 30, carried out the theft against her victim in Newport in March. Ian Price Ian Price (Image: South Wales Police ) He threw his partner across the kitchen, before pinning her down and telling her it was a "hostage situation". The assault was one of a series of attacks carried out by Ian Price on the woman during the course of their "volatile" relationship, Swansea Crown Court heard. In another attack, Price called the victim abusive names before pushing her off the bar stool she was sat on causing her to strike a granite work top. Price's former partner told the court that the abusive, violent and controlling behaviour she experienced at the hands of Price had taken her "old life" away from her. She said she was left emotionally and physically drained and suffering with anxiety and flashbacks. Beau Lyons Beau Lyons (Image: Gwent Police ) In a jealous rage he "launched" himself across a nightclub dance floor and glassed an unsuspecting man who was talking to his girlfriend. The man was left with a severe injury with the lower part of his ear "sliced away". Beau Lyons, 27, had travelled from his home in Flintshire to Newport in March with his partner Shaunnia Connolly and her friend in order to celebrate a birthday. They went on a "mini bar crawl" throughout the city when things took a turn for the worse. The victim Shane Edwards had been out drinking with a friend and seen dancing with Ms Connolly and he bought her a drink. The next thing he remembered was waking up in hospital and being covered in blood from his chest downwards. Mr Edwards was taken to Grange University Hospital and was found to have suffered a 5cm wound through his left ear towards the base of the skull. In a victim impact statement, he said he has been left "permanently deformed" due to Lyon's actions and has nightmares about being attacked. Scott Simmonds and Keiron Gordon Scott Simmonds (left) and Keiron Gordon (Image: South Wales Police ) The two men mugged a drunk studently walking home from a night out. A judge described their actions as "disgraceful". Scott Simmonds and Kieron Gordon pinned their victim to the floor after he had been on a night out in Swansea city centre in March this year and went through his pockets then used the bank card they stole to buy booze. Sending the pair to prison, the judge said the facts of the case were "disturbing", adding: "What an advert for the city of Swansea and those seeking to be educated here. 'Come to our city, go out to do what students do, but you run the risk of being mugged by two men'. It is disgraceful." Mark Moon Mark Moon, 46, from Porth (Image: South Wales Police ) He attacked his partner and then assaulted and strangled her daughter in front of her as she tried to help her mum. Sending him to prison for three years, the judge told 46-year-old Mark Moon that if he was violent again he would be going to prison for a "very, very long time". Not long after the victim's father died, he told her "I can't cope with your grief" and attacked her and then attacked her daughter. In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Sykes said the incident happened just six days before her father's funeral. "We laid him to rest with the physical and emotional scars Mark inflicted on us," she told the court. Rhys Warren Rhys Warren (Image: Gwent Police ) He forced a schoolgirl to her knees on a footpath and orally raped her. Jailing 20-year-old Rhys Warren, the judge said it was clear he had "no concern" for the girl at the time of the incident, adding: "This is a terrible offence which will live remain life-long with the complainant". The attack happened in the Abertillery area following a chance meeting between the defendant and the girl. The court heard he tried to kiss the girl, bit her on the lip, and told her he wanted to "f***" her. The victim broke free and tried to get away but Warren kicked her legs from under her and when she was on her knees he forced his penis into her mouth while holding her head with his hands. Jonathan Newbury Johnathan Newbury He seriously injured two men after driving an SUV at them at speed and caused one of them grievous bodily harm. In July last year, Jonathan Newbury rammed Ryan Jones and a 17-year-old man with a black SUV in Cardiff after an earlier altercation. The victims were "thrown into the air" after being hit by the vehicle and were left with a range of injuries The judge said Newbury, 33, had shown no remorse for his actions. Anthony Foley Anthony Foley, 35, from Brynmawr (Image: Gwent Police ) He attacked a man he'd been drinking with the night before when he entered his home and struck him with a knife. Anthony Foley's attack had resulted in a knock-on effect on the everyday life of the victim and left him with a fractured arm. Foley, 35, entered the home of Ciaran Smith and punched him twice in the face before he began attacking him with a knife. Mr Smith said his physical injuries have had a serious impact on his mental health. Sending Foley to prison for four years and four months, the judge told Foley: "I hope that this really is the turning point in your life." George Kovacs George Kovacs (Image: North Wales Police ) He attacked a teenager who he believed was "up to no good" near his property. George Kovacs set on the 17-year-old with a fence post and broke his arm and wrist before threatening to kill him if he returned. The court heard that in December 2022 two friends were walking in the mountains in the Waunfawr area of Gwynedd when they noticed an abandoned outbuilding and "out of curiosity" walked towards it. Kovacs drove past them before reversing and shouting "What the f*** are you boys doing here?" One of the teenagers apologised to the driver but Kovacs continued "ranting" and the teenager told him: "There's no need to be a d*** about it." Kovacs then grabbed a fence post and began swinging it around and striking him with the teenager putting his arms up to protect himself. The force of the blows were such that the post snapped. Daniel Thyer Daniel Thyer (Image: South Wales Police ) He was caught with his trousers around his ankles and pleasuring himself near a children's play area in a popular park. Police later found out that Daniel Thyer, 41, had been "grooming" a young boy with gifts of vapes and energy drinks. A woman saw Thyer's actions and was "disgusted", Swansea Crown Court heard. When officers arrived at the park and arrested him, he claimed he was there to meet somebody and was "adjusting his trousers". Police later found messages to a boy on his phone where they had talked about masturbation. Police located the boy who disclosed a series of incidents when Thyer had put his hands down his trousers, pushed his erect penis into him from behind over his clothes, and had touched his bottom. Sending him to prison, the judge said that Thyer had engaged in "predatory sexual behaviour". Jarrad Wicks Jarrad Wicks (Image: South Wales Police ) The bus driver was moonlighting as an unlicensed taxi driver when he crashed into a teenager walking home causing horrific leg injuries. As a result of Jarrad Wicks' driving the boy had to have part of his leg amputated and his life has been turned upside down. Merthyr Crown Court heard the 16-year-old victim had enjoyed playing football, boxing, and riding his bike before the crash and had just embarked on an apprenticeship but all that was changed in a moment. Wicks was operating an unlicensed taxi business when he picked up a group to take them to a nightclub in the Rhondda. They got into the rear cargo area of the van - which did not have seats or seatbelts - and as the caddy headed for Porth it was seen to suddenly swerve across the road and mount the pavement, hitting a 16-year-old boy who was walking home having spent the evening watching TV with friends. Shaun Gallagher Shaun Gallagher (Image: South Wales Police ) The paedophile sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl which caused her to "lose her sense of innocence" and left her with nightmares of dark shadows. Shaun Gallagher, 57, assaulted his victim when he thought she was asleep, but she was awake and witnessed events. The victim saw the defendant masturbating before putting his hand along her body and attempting to touch her between her legs. She later described herself feeling "frozen by fear". Matthew Jones Mathew Jones (Image: South Wales Police ) He subjected his neighbour to a brutal beating while other people standing on the street "turned a blind eye". The man Matthew Jones attacked suffered a broken nose and eye socket in the assault and was bleeding heavily from a gash to his forehead but his Swansea Valley neighbours "did absolutely nothing to assist him". The court heard Jones has shown no remorse for what he did to his 62-year-old victim, a man who had undergone heart surgery a matter of months before the unprovoked attack. The victim said he had been left feeling constantly anxious and on edge as a result of the attack and was always looking over his shoulder. Morgan Mason Morgan Mason (Image: South Wales Police ) He was caught dealing heroin and crack cocaine in Swansea. Sentencing him to detention, the judge told 18-year-old Morgan Mason he was "living off the misery of others" and said if he continues along the path he has chosen he will be spending much of his life going in and out of prison. Swansea Crown Court also heard that two months before the teenager was caught red-handed in Swansea Marina working for a county lines drugs operation known as the "Diesel" line he had walked out of court with a suspended sentence for inflicting grievous bodily harm. Andrew Howse Andrew Howse (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) The cocaine dealer kept his stash hidden in a child's car sheet. When Andrew Howse was pulled over by police he initially "threw his partner under the bus" by telling police the car was hers and he knew nothing about the drugs. The car was searched and 12 snap-bags of cocaine worth up to £650 were found hidden under padding on a child seat. Howson was also found to have £1,130 in cash in his wallet. Swansea Crown Court heard that two weeks before being caught with the drugs, Howse had been handed a suspended prison sentence for a firearms offence. As a result of the drug and firearms offenses, Howse was sentenced to four years in prison. Ba Dak Koul Ba Dak Koul (Image: South Wales Police ) The asylum seeker repeatedly punched a man in the head and face after he was told to turn the television down in the hostel where he was staying. The victim was left bleeding from his wounds as the assault spilled out into the street. Ba Dak Koul, 22, and his victim Milad Rostami were both residing in asylum seeker accommodation in Cardiff when an altercation took place between them in May last year. A member of staff said Koul struck the victim "more times than he could count." Mr Rostami was later treated at hospital for; a laceration to his scalp, a laceration to his forehead, bruises to his left eye socket, pain to the jaw, a broken tooth, a bite to the shoulder, blurred vision and concussion. Craig Peacock Craig Peacock (Image: Gwent Police ) He was high on drugs when he smashed into a lamppost during a police chase in which he reached speeds of up to 120mph. Craig Peacock, 35, also narrowly missed a group of pedestrians. He said he drove away from officers as he had only recently been giving his driving licence back. Peacock was also under the influence of drugs during the pursuit. Tyler Barnsley Tyler Barnsley (Image: Gwent Police ) The drug dealer exploited a 14-year-old boy as a modern day slave who he gave cannabis as a reward. Tyler Barnsley, 18, used the teenager to deliver drugs and accept orders on his behalf. Messages on Barnsley's phone showed that he knew the victim's age when he recruited him as a drug runner. The Crown Prosecution Service said Barnsley, who admitted an offence of trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, had shown "no concern for the child's welfare" and was "only thinking of himself and his drug profits". Ryan Thomas Ryan Thomas (Image: Gwent Police ) This burglar was caught after leaving his fingerprints on a cat flap at the house he broke into. Ryan Thomas, 30, stole a car from the house and used it to drive to another property from which he stole a second car which he then used in a ramraid on a shop. The court heard the defendant had a history of committing burglaries and car offences, and that, by the time police identified him as being a suspect in the burglaries, he was already serving a prison sentence for smashing his way into a different shop and stealing thousands of pounds worth of tobacco and e-cigarettes. For this offence, Thomas was sentenced to 31 months in prison and banned from driving for five years. Brandon Tunstall Brandon Tunstall (Image: South Wales Police ) He was jailed after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs as well as being concerned in the supply of cannabis. Brandon Tunstall, 30, was one of a family-of-four who grew cannabis trees in their converted loft whilst enjoying a lavish lifestyle. When the family home was searched, police found a very modern property with an expensive kitchen and bathroom, as well as a feature fish tank fitted into the wall, two outbuildings and two Mercedes cars parked on the driveway. In the attic there were 32 cannabis plants equipped with lights, scales, growing charts and calendars. His family members were spared jail. Allan Lapping Allan Lapping (Image: South Wales Police ) He was caught red-handed dealing heroin and crack by undercover officers. Allan Lapping was about to deal drugs in his Nissan Juke in the Waun Wen area of Swansea when the officers moved in. When they searched the 47-year-old they found he had more than 80 wraps of heroin and cocaine hidden in his pants. The court heard that the former taxi driver had turned to dealing to make money and now realises he made a "terrible mistake". Stuart Curtis He attacked a fellow tenant at temporary accommodation in an unprovoked incident. Stuart Curtis, 44, bit his victim and placed him in a chokehold. The victim was described as "turning blue" during the attack. Shakr Hamad Shakr Hamad (Image: South Wales Police ) The drug runner was found in possession of more than £2,000 worth of cannabis. Shakir Hamad, 30, had been sent a list of postcodes by his dealer to deliver to. He was stopped by police while driving in Cardiff last year after they could smell cannabis emanating from his car. They searched him and found £400 worth of cannabis. However, while on police bail, he was stopped again by police and a further £1,700 worth of cannabis was found. Mark Briskham Mark Briskham (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) He was jailed after he was caught hiding £1.6k of heroin inside his body. Mark Briskham and another man had driven from west Wales to Swansea to buy the drug but their car was intercepted by police on the return journey. The 52-year-old refused to undergo a body scan in hospital but later asked to go to the toilet and passed a package containing 12g heroin. Anthony O'Connell Anthony O'Connell (Image: South Wales Police ) He beat up and bit his son on the face during a family gathering. Anthony O'Connell, 53, repeatedly punched his son before sinking his teeth into his nose and then hitting him with his walking stick in a domestic assault at his son's home in Llansamlet. O'Connell had not been drinking during the gathering but his son had. Before launching an assault, O'Connell told him: "Do you know why I used to hate my father? Because he was a f****** p***head" Just weeks later, O'Connell took part in a robbery which saw him and another man setting upon a stranger who was wandering in Swansea city centre. Joshua Jenkins and Alex John Joshua Jenkins (left) and Alex John The duo were caught on CCTV selling cocaine in nightclub on New Year's Eve. Joshua Jenkins and Alex John were seen in a club in Carmarthen town centre exchanging packages and cash and when they were searched by officers, were found to be carrying four and six cocaine deals respectively, along with a total of £400 in cash. Weighing scales and multiple phones were also found when their homes were searched. Sending the pair down the judge told them they would have known that a prison sentence awaited them if caught but had involved themselves in dealing Class A drugs regardless - and without having any regard to the impact being locked up would have on their families and those around them. John McEvoy John Joseph McEvoy (Image: South Wales Police ) He subjected his partner to a campaign of violence, abuse and controlling behaviour lasting three years in order to "instil fear and gain power and control" over her, a court heart. John McEvoy, 34, from Trowbridge, Cardiff, fitted a tracking device to the woman's car, repeatedly assaulted her, threatened her with machetes, and suffocated her with a pillow. Some of the assaults he subjected his partner to occurred in hotel rooms, including a time where he beat her on the feet with a kettle and hit her on the head with a bottle of perfume. During another assault, he armed himself with a kitchen knife and threatened to "scar" the woman to "make sure she never went out again". Sentencing him to 41 months in prison, the judge noted a probation report that assessed McEvoy as posing a high risk of causing serious harm to any future partners. Mark Burnell Mark Burnell (Image: South Wales Police ) He broke into a number of properties in Cardiff where he stole items such as costume jewellery and a golfing watch and used a bank card to purchase £100 worth of items. When Mark Burnell, 44, was arrested by police, he told them: "I've been waiting so f****** long for this, you didn't take any notice". Burnell stole a woman's handbag at the end of last year and then was seen on CCTV on January 4 trying to open the doors of houses. Days later, he was again seen on CCTV trying to enter properties and successfully stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods from one home. Michael Condon and Daniel Collins Michael Condon and Daniel Collins (Image: South Wales Police ) They were jailed just days after they burgled a Cardiff cafe. Michael Condon, 38, was found by police just 20 minutes after the break-in, cuddled up asleep with the items he stole right next to him and still wearing the red and black coat seen on CCTV. Daniel Collins, 51, was arrested a day later. The pair stole a box of oil, money, mobile phones, and bottled drinks from My Sisters House in Clifton Street, Adamsdown. Michael Parker Michael Parker (Image: South Wales Police ) The burglar was caught going through his victim's fridge and was then beaten up, hit with a beer bottle, and thrown out of the flat. Michael Parker - who has more than 150 previous offences on his record - was arrested a matter of days after the raid when he attended court on unrelated matters. A judge said it must have been a terrifying experience for the victim to find a hooded man in his kitchen, and he said immediate custody was inevitable in the case. Thomas Pithers Thomas Pithers (Image: South Wales Police ) The victim of a burglary said she felt "exposed, vulnerable, and utterly shaken" after Thomas Pithers, 31, entered the home she shared with her daughter as they both slept. He stole a £400 mountain bike as well as laptops, headphones, and a Louis Vuitton purse while they were asleep. She said: "I haven't slept well since that night as I don't want to be in that position ever again. I am constantly checking locks and jump at noises. Leaving my home fills me with dread about what I will return to." Christopher Burden Christopher Burden (Image: South Wales Police ) He has been imprisoned for 17 years after he raped a boy and committed multiple offences of sexually assaulting a child. Christopher Burden's crimes came to light after the victims came forwards and testified against the perpetrator in court. Burden, 35, of Trowbridge, Cardiff was found guilty of a charge of rape and multiple charges of sexually assaulting a boy by touching, following a trial. Aleksander Cela and Dennis Horeshka Aleksander Cela (Image: South Wales Police ) Dennis Horeshka (Image: South Wales Police ) The two illegal immigrants from Albania were found in a disused restaurant that had been converted into a commercial-scale cannabis farm by an organised crime group. When police raided the building they found 900 cannabis plants and sophisticated growing equipment - along with Aleksander Cela and Dennis Horeshka - two so-called gardeners with a collection of "designer aftershaves". The court heard that the pair had paid people smugglers to get them into the UK and were in debt to those who organised their travel. They were both sentenced to 32 months in prison for their involvement in the cannabis farm. James Osmand James Osmond (Image: South Wales Police ) He drove dangerously in three separate police pursuits in the space of just two weeks. During the offending, James Osmand, 25, hit multiple cars, "forced" his way through traffic, raced through red lights and narrowly missed knocking down pedestrians. The court was told that Osmand, from Swansea, has previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, affray, and conspiracy to supply drugs. He was out of prison on license during the offending following his involvement in a gang attack which saw two men stabbed and cars smashed with baseball bats. When shown CCTV footage of his driving following his arrest, he laughed at the clips. Kieran Pritchard Kieran Pritchard (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) Police found counterfeit tobacco in his car but a search of his home uncovered a whole lot more. Kieran Prichard's car was stopped by police and officers found 73 packages of what was purported to be Golden Virginia and Amber Leaf tobacco, which was found to be counterfeit. However, as well as buying the tobacco and selling it on for a profit, an investigation found that Pritchard had been involved in the cocaine supply over the previous 18 months. A search of the 33-year-old's Carmarthenshire home was carried out after the tobacco was found and officers discovered a quantity of cocaine, empty bags, weighing scales, along with £29,000 in cash. Adam Smith The HMP Parc inmate was given another prison sentence after he threw a combination of faeces and urine at officers while laughing. Adam Smith, 33, also punched another in the face. His victims were left shaken by the incidents, and were taken to hospital in order to be tested for various conditions. Smith was sentenced to six years imprisonment for inflicting grievous bodily harm. For his actions, he was sentenced to a total of 42 months imprisonment, which he will serve consecutively to his current sentence. Ahmet Cenaj, Ergys Nika and Jetmir Nika Ahmet Cenaj, Ergys Nika, and Jetmir Nika (Image: South Wales Police ) The drug dealers were found in possession of more than £70,000 worth of cannabis and £10,000 worth of cocaine when their flat was searched. Ahmet Cenaj, 24, was stopped by police in Newport last year and the boot of his car was was found to contain a total of 950g of cannabis. When they searched his home they saw Ergys Nika, 22, entering the property empty handed and leaving in possession of a large bag, which was later found to contain cannabis. Ergys Nika was taken back to the flat where Jetmir Nika, 19, was present.. A search of the flat resulted in the discovery of 29kg of cannabis, 197 grip seal bags of cocaine, weighing 58.5g, and £37,500 in cash. Curtis Baker Curtis Baker (Image: South Wales Police ) He was exposed as a drug dealer by police after panicking as they checked his insurance details. Patrolling officers had seen Curtis Baker, 25, stopping his car in Bridgend last year and "making a short exchange with someone" before driving off at speed. When officers located him, Baker gave his mobile phone to the officers so they could check he was insured to drive the car, but while one of them was holding the device he tried to grab it and run away. Baker was detained and the officers found a small amount of cash in his car. Messages on his phone suggested he was involved in the supply of drugs. He was arrested and a search of his house revealed a bag of cocaine and digital weighing scales in his kitchen. Adrian Shellam Adrian Shellam (Image: South Wales Police ) He was jailed after assaulting a shop worker at a Co-op store he was banned from. Adrian Shellam, 49, stole wine and other alcohol from multiple Co-op stores across Cardiff including the Co-Op at Capital Quarter, Co-op Park Place and Co-op Senghennydd Road. Just three days after he was banned, he returned to the store in the city centre and assaulted a shop worker. Said Hassan The burglar has been jailed after he boldly returned to the home he had targeted to ask for his forgotten belongings. Said Hassan, 39, broke into a house in Cardiff on February along with an accomplice. Police said the pair forced their way through the front door and began helping themselves to alcohol from the kitchen cupboards. However, their plans were foiled when the owners of the house caught them in the act and ordered them to leave. A statement said Hassan then fled the property, but shortly after, returned to the scene to ask for some personal items he had left behind during his hurried exit. Hassan was identified after the police used facial recognition technology to identify him from CCTV. Leigh Bishop Leigh Bishop (Image: South Wales Police ) He was caught in possession of class A drugs after police saw him topping up a phone used as a drugs line. Examination of their phones revealed Leigh Bishop, 23, was involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. Article continues below During a raid on his Trowbridge home, he was found in possession of 18.5g of crack cocaine worth up to £1,710 and 3.5g of heroin worth up to £120.
Channel 4
14-06-2025
- Channel 4
Man who attacked police while armed with Molotov cocktails jailed for life
A man who attacked officers outside a south Wales police station – while armed with Molotov cocktails, has been jailed for life. Alexander Dighton stabbed one officer and knocked another unconscious, after trying to set fire to a police van during the attack in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The court heard that his sister had reported him to the counter-extremism Prevent programme a year earlier – but he was not considered to be a threat.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Astonishing transformation of award-winning student to shaven-headed 'enemy of the state' who was referred to Prevent a YEAR before he tried to stab PC to death during terrorist attack on police station
As a fresh-faced 18-year-old, Alexander Dighton won a Wales-wide competition in advanced mechanical engineering. At the time, the robotics enthusiast had aspirations to join the RAF as an engineer. Yet just a decade later he had been transformed into a self-confessed 'enemy of the state'. On January 31 this year – by now bearded and shaven-headed – the one-time star student single-handedly stormed a police station in one of the most peaceful parts of South Wales. Armed with home-made weapons including a hatchet, he set a police van alight before hitting one officer and stabbing another, shouting: 'I'm fed up, I'm done'. Attempts to overcome him with a Taser proved useless due to his thick, insulated body armour. But despite their injuries the unarmed officers bravely overpowered Dighton, who later told police: 'I've been damned from birth.' As the 28-year-old starts a 22-year jail sentence, questions are now being asked over his frightening transformation into softly-spoken, pipe-smoking airport worker to would-be police killer. It can be revealed that Dighton was referred to the Government's under-fire counter-extremism Prevent programme by worried relatives 12 months before the attack. In what almost proved a fatal misjudgement, he was assessed as not posing a serious risk and left to his own devices. Dighton continued to radicalise himself in his tiny one-bedroomed flat in South Wales where neighbours would see him exercising in the courtyard at 4am. He started planning his attack on Talbot Green police station near Pontypridd a month before turning up with home-made weapons, saying afterwards: 'Blood had to be spilled.' Following his terrifying rampage, a family member warned of a 'systemic failure' in tackling the threat posed by self-radicalised loners. They compared Dighton to Axel Rudakubana – who stabbed three children to death at a Southport dance class – and Jake Davison - who shot five people dead in Plymouth – who were both also referred to Prevent before launching their massacres. 'If all these individuals had Prevent referrals in place, why are the police not intervening, when it's the people closest to them making these referrals?' the relative asked. Like Nicholas Prosper – who plotted to shoot primary school children in Luton – and Otley Run attacker Owen Lawrence, Dighton appears to have radicalised himself by viewing graphic and extreme content online. His narrowly-averted attempted massacre is the latest example of the threat posed by violence-obsessed loners motivated by no coherent ideology. At the age of 18, Dighton was studying engineering and parametric modelling at two colleges in South Wales. He later moved to Preston, Lancashire before vanishing following a breakdown, leaving all his belongings behind in May 2022. That prompted his worried family to report him missing to police. They believe he may be autistic, although it is understood he was never formally diagnosed. Returning to South Wales, Dighton moved into a one-bed flat in a new-build housing association estate in Llantrisant, a five-minute drive from the police station he would go onto attack. He got a job manufacturing inflatable evacuation slides for aeroplanes at Cardiff Airport, cycling the 12-mile journey to work as he didn't own a car. Neighbours on the well-tended development likened him to Sherlock Holmes because of his penchant for wearing an old-fashioned suit and greenish-brown waistcoat while smoking tobacco with a pipe. He was also fond of a round "Amish-style" hat and used an old bicycle inner-tube as a belt for his trousers, telling some how he wished he had been born in the 1800s. Dighton told them he 'wanted kids but he wasn't interested in women'. Police chiefs have praised the bravery and professionalism of the five officers who came face-to-face with Dighton on the night of the attack The flat was completely unfurnished, lacking even curtains, and he slept on the floor in a sleeping bag. Neighbours nevertheless described him as 'pleasant' and having 'a heart of gold'. "I'd see him in the morning smoking his pipe, and he'd doff his hat and say, 'Good morning to you, sir. Do you want anything up the shop?'' one said. But they became increasingly worried about conspiracy theories he would spout after staying up late delving the darker corners of the internet. 'He'd stay up all through the night,' said one. 'He didn't have a TV but he'd be gaming and watching things on the internet." In January 2024 – 12 months before he went on the rampage – a relative referred Dighton to Prevent. The same family member contacted South Wales Police a fortnight before the attack with concerns about his behaviour. Ahead of his sentencing they branded it a 'systematic failure'. 'It was highlighted to all the right people and it wasn't prevented,' the relative said. 'It raises the question: are police well-staffed enough? And mental health services that could have helped Alex have been cut. 'This was preventable. There has to be a policy change somewhere with regards to these radicalised individuals. The Prevent referrals are not preventing attacks.' In the run-up to his rampage Dighton's behaviour became increasingly erratic. 'He was on about children getting sex education at the age of three," said the neighbour. 'And the police being child molesters and perverts. 'He told us he was on the dark web and he was 'looking into it deep''. 'He would talk about the government, then move onto the police, and then onto gaming, and then back to paedophiles. 'He had a massive problem with authority.' Around this time Dighton began posting racist on X – formerly Twitter – under the profile @VulkantheJust, an apparent reference to a Warhammer character. His profile has a blue tick awarded to users with a paid-for subscription, extending the reach of their posts. His bio reads: 'Dammed [sic] before Birth.' While his messages are only visible to followers, one user who responded branded him a 'little twit who thinks his failures are somehow the fault of 12 year old girls'. Neighbours believe a trigger for Dighton 'cracking' was a dispute with a man who lived in the area. They claim Dighton made allegations that the man had been smoking drugs but that police did not take any action. Dighton's anger grew and on July 29 last year he committed a public order offence against the man, later receiving a conditional discharge. His fixation on police intensified as he repeatedly complained they 'only see the things they want to see'. One neighbour said a relative of Dighton had urged him to see a GP about his mental health but he refused and told the family member 'not to bother' with him anymore. Despite receiving a promotion at work, around a month before launching the police attack he unexpectedly quit his job. Neighbours said police attended over concerns for Dighton's welfare but he confronted officers, shouting: 'P*** off, don't come here.' The day before the attack he shaved his hair - which neighbours said had grown to resemble Doc Brown from Back to the Future – and spent part of the night pacing back and forth outside the flats, smoking his pipe. Condemning his 'disgusting' actions, one said: 'Why, Alex? The police were only doing their job. 'I am really gutted.' In March Dighton - who represented himself - pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a police officer. He also admitted attempted grievous bodily harm, battery, attempted arson, possession of an offensive weapon, two bladed article offences and two of damaging property. The Old Bailey heard that searches of Dighton's home uncovered journals revealing his fixation on anti-immigrant ideology. Counter-terror police admit he slipped through the net – but insist there was nothing to suggest what he was planning. Det Supt Andrew Williams, head of counter terrorism policing in Wales, said there was nothing to suggest he would go on to carry out such an 'horrific' attack. Dighton was assessed by specialist officers over a three-week period over anti-immigration and anti-Islam views as well an interest in the involuntary celibate 'incel' movement. 'They interviewed him at length, they undertook due diligence checks and the conclusion was he did not meet the criteria required for inclusion onto the prevent programme,' he said. 'I must stress that there was absolutely no information or evidence that would suggest he would attack anyone let alone police officers outside Talbot Green as he did a year later.' Dighton was heavily into the Dark Web and also obsessed with the fantasy game Warhammer where armoured miniature warriors use a variety of weapons to battle their foes. He was wearing insulating body armour on the night he struck, and when officers tried to Taser him the electric shock had no effect. Pepper spray also failed to incapacitate him. Dighton was carrying an axe, a hatchet, a pole with two blades attached to it and a knife along with a Molotov cocktail which he hurled at police as they came towards him. Det Supt Williams said Dighton had developed a 'very firm hatred of the state' over his anti-immigration views and 'saw the police as a legitimate target' as a 'representative of the state'. He had begun planning the police station attack around a month earlier, procuring the body armour plus an axe, hatchet, and knife. Det Supt Williams said due to the short timescale 'I don't think there is anything that could have been done differently'. Interviewed by police afterwards, Dighton said he wanted 'to do the maximum damage and cause as much injury to others as he possibly could' and that 'blood had to be spilled.' Nicholas Prosper (left) who plotted to shoot primary school children in Luton after murdering his mother and siblings and Otley Run attacker Owen Lawrence (right) both radicalised themselves by viewing graphic and extreme content online Detectives are in no doubt that he took his inspiration from the internet, gaming and far-right forums, saying he struggled to separate reality from fantasy. Det Supt Williams said: 'He was a lonely individual, with challenges of his own, and he had ready access to material which is readily available online. 'He was a very keen gaming enthusiast and in some of his interviews he referred to the Warhammer type games. 'He identified with characters in that gaming methodology. 'It's a sad indictment of where we are that that stuff is readily accessible and he was freely able to discuss with other like-minded individuals online about their opinions, their thoughts and their mindset. Det Supt Williams said 'lessons were always learned' when individuals like Dighton target the state for terrorist attacks. 'It is a very complex and detailed world that our officers operate in and are required to prioritise and make decisions based on assessments that they undertake on a daily basis,' he said. Nevertheless the case will increase pressure to reform the Prevent strategy, which saw 6,884 referrals in the 12 months to March 2024 – two-fifths relating to children 15 and under. Killers found to have been dismissed too readily by Prevent teams include Islamic State supporter Ali Harbi Ali who stabbed Conservative MP Sir David Amess to death during a constituency surgery at a church hall in Leigh-on-Sea. Following the Southport dance studio attack a rapid review found Axel Rudakubana's referral had been 'closed prematurely'. The Home Office is examining how to strengthen Prevent, including how it responds to cases where mental ill-health is a factor. Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones, lead officer for Mid Glamorgan, praised the bravery and professionalism of the five officers who came face-to-face with Dighton on the night of the attack. He said: 'The courage displayed by all officers is truly commendable, but it is important to recognise the profound impact these events have had on the officers themselves, their families and the wider community. 'Each officer is not just a public servant but a husband, a wife, a son, a daughter or a parent and their families are undoubtedly deeply affected by incidents such as these on a daily basis. 'Such an incident against our officers at their workplace serves as a stark reminder of the risks that can arise unexpectedly.'
North Wales Chronicle
13-06-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Terrorist who attacked officers outside police station jailed for life
Alexander Dighton, 28, knocked one officer unconscious and stabbed another in the leg when he launched an attack on Talbot Green Police Station in Rhondda Cynon Taf on January 31. In a police interview after the attack, Dighton, of Pontyclun, said he did not consider the scope of damage, 'merely that blood had to be spilt'. The court heard Dighton held racist and anti-Muslim views, with the judge saying the offences had a 'terrorist connection'. Dighton also told officers he had kept a sharpened shovel to attack the police if they came to his home. Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Record of London, sentenced Dighton to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum of 22 years at the Old Bailey on Friday. Dighton, who represented himself in court, showed no emotion as he was sentenced. It was revealed during the hearing that Dighton had been referred to the anti-terrorism Prevent programme in January 2024 by his sister, who said her brother holds racist and anti-Muslim views, and is likely to be involved with incel groups. Despite the referral, Dighton's Prevent case was closed after three weeks when it was decided he did not meet the criteria to be included on the scheme. The judge said: 'It is clear that you continue to hold entrenched views. 'Other than the early guilty pleas, there is little else to be said to your credit.' He said since Dighton's arrest, there had been a 'close investigation' into his activities. 'Of particular significance is a report to Prevent on the basis of the racist and anti-Muslim views you hold and the likelihood of being involved with incel groups,' he said. 'I note too various online activity that which shows an increasing fixation on issues such as diversity, paedophilia, immigration, anti-Islamic sentiments and dissatisfaction with the British Government.' The incel movement – short for involuntary celibate – involves people who find themselves unsuccessful in relationships, often harbouring extreme and misogynistic views. The judge said the officers, who were all experienced and deserved commendation, were 'deeply shocked by the nature and ferocity' of the attack. 'Some thought they were going to die as a result of what you had with you and what you were doing. 'Many speak of the anxiety, worry and sleepless nights for them and their families that have followed.' Dighton arrived at the police station shortly before 7pm, where he lit a petrol bomb and threw it at a police van. When that failed to ignite, he attempted to start a fire by pouring lighter fluid over the van before smashing the windows of two vehicles using a pole. When confronted by officers, Dighton said 'I'm fed up, I'm done', before launching his attack. Attempts to restrain him using a Taser were unsuccessful because he was wearing body armour. He swung a pole at one officer, punched one in the head and stabbed another in the thigh, narrowly missing his femoral artery. Two of the three injured officers were taken to hospital for treatment. The court also heard Dighton had recently been involved in an altercation with his neighbour, during which he used a homophobic slur. A week before the incident, he had received a letter from the police telling him to attend a station to provide biometric samples in relation to the alleged public order offence. In a police interview after the attack on the police station, Dighton said that he expected officers to go to his home to attempt to arrest him for not providing a sample. Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn said: 'He intended to attack the police officers who attended with a shovel, which he had sharpened for that purpose, and that his intention at that time was to kill any police officers who attended. 'No officers in fact attended the defendant's address.' During the interview, he also said his intention was to let it be known that 'his tolerance for the Government had come to an end' by causing as much damage as possible. Mr Hearn said: '(Dighton) said that he had 'teetered' as to whether he wanted to kill someone and had not been 'fully decided'.' The court heard that the defendant is neurodiverse and was diagnosed with a mood disorder, which may make him susceptible to the influence of others. He spent a great deal of time online and in had a particular fascination with the video game Warhammer 40K, making reference in his diary to a character from the long-running series, called Vulkan. He said: 'So with contempt as my armour, faith my shield and hatred my sword, let me be the emperor's wrath. For Vulkan, for the Emperor.' Dighton, representing himself in court, spoke about violence being 'justified' against the state. He referred to grooming gangs and 'Boris Johnson having parties while the country is locked down' during the Covid-19 pandemic. The defendant added: 'People have such a short memory, it is terrible. 'I will be dead before I leave prison anyway, so that doesn't bother me.' Dighton previously admitted 10 charges relating to the incident, including attempting to murder Detective Constable Jack Cotton and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Sergeant Richard Coleman. He also admitted assaulting Pc Joshua Emlyn and threatening Pc Stephanie Fleming with an adapted wooden pole. Dighton will be subject to terrorist notification requirements for 30 years. Speaking after the case, Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service said Dighton wanted to attack the Government and the state. 'We were able to show that Dighton's attack was not only pre-meditated and meticulously planned, but that his motivations were connected to terrorism,' he said. 'While it is not a criminal offence to hold extreme or offensive views, it is one to carry out attempted murder and attack police officers because of them.' Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones, of South Wales Police, paid tribute to the 'bravery and professionalism' of the officers at the scene. 'Each officer is not just a public servant but also a husband, wife, or parent, and their families are undoubtedly deeply affected by incidents such as these that officers face daily,' he said. 'I want to also recognise the detectives' unwavering commitment throughout the investigation which is also commendable.'
Sunday World
13-06-2025
- Sunday World
Man who attacked police with Molotov cocktail and hatchet is jailed for life
Alexander Dighton will not be eligibly for parole for at least 21 years and 235 days CCTV footage: Man who attacked officers with Molotov cocktail jailed for life A man who tried to murder a police officer while armed with Molotov cocktails has been jailed for life and will have to serve a minimum of 22 years. Alexander Dighton, 28 from Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was wearing body armour when he carried out the attack outside Talbot Green police station last January. The shocking footage has now been released and shows the terror of the scene that led to his arrest and ultimate incarceration. Dighton injured several officers and admitted trying to murder a police officer with a knife and was sentenced at the Old Bailey in London. Due to the time Dighton spent on remand he will spend a minimum term of 21 years and 235 days before he can be considered for parole. The court heard he was also made subject of terrorist notification requirements for 30 years. Dighton arrived at Talbot Green police station in January armed with a hatchet, a pole and Molotov cocktails. Brandishing his weapons, he told PC Stephanie Fleming, who confronted him: 'I'm fed up, I'm done.' Dighton threw one Molotov cocktail at a police van, but it failed to ignite, so he poured petrol onto another and set it alight before using a long wooden pole to smash the van's windows. Dighton was tasered and sprayed with Pava spray, but it had no effect. Alexander Dighton was jailed for life after police attack He attacked Sgt Richard Coleman in the station foyer, hitting him in the head with the pole, and then punched Det Con Joshua Emlyn. At this point three police officers attempted to restrain Dighton, and he stabbed Det Con Jack Cotton in the leg, wounding him. Dighton represented himself in court at a previous hearing and admitted attempted murder with a knife, attempted arson, attacking two other police officers, and threatening a third - pleading guilty to a total of 10 charges. Two officers were treated in hospital for their injuries. The judge told the Old Bailey today that the officers were in a state of shock and some thought they were going to die. Police believe Dighton began planning his attack a month before the incident.
