Latest news with #Llewellyn
Wales Online
05-07-2025
- Wales Online
His 'utterly appalling' driving caused the death of his long-term partner
His 'utterly appalling' driving caused the death of his long-term partner Jack Llewellyn, 25, was nearly killed himself after losing control of his car and smashing sideways into an oncoming vehicle Jack Llewellyn caused the death of his partner Nicholas Page and left a five-year-old child with a permanent scar following a collision (Image: Gwent Police ) A driver killed his long-term partner and left a five-year-old child with a permanent scar to his face after an "utterly appalling piece of driving" led to a crash. He lost control of his vehicle and collided into a car driven by a pregnant woman, whose children were in her car, which caused the death of his front seat passenger. Jack Llewellyn, 25, smashed his black Skoda Octavia into a silver Ford C-Max after "weaving" in and out of traffic before swerving. The collision, on Greenforge Way, Cwmbran, resulted in the passenger side of the defendant's car being decimated and his passenger Nicholas Page being killed. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the five-year-old's mother was driving on Greenforge Way on March 30, 2023, with her two young children in the back. She was seven-months pregnant at the time. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. She spotted Llewellyn's car speeding up the hill and swerving out to overtake another car, before losing control and swerving in and out towards her vehicle. The side of the Skoda hit the Ford straight on with such force it caused it to spin and face the opposite way, while the Skoda faced back the way it had come. The mother looked back and saw a "massive laceration" to her five-year-old son's forehead and he was covered in blood, while her other son suffered a friction burn. Article continues below Witness Colin Pilot described seeing Llewellyn's car passing him at speed and undertaking a Seat Ibiza before attempting to overtake another vehicle and losing control. Mr Pilot said the back of the defendant's car swerved to the right, and as Llewellyn tried to correct this, the car spun sideways and struck the Ford. Prosecutor Matthew Roberts said the car was "zig zagging" at this point. Brian Pilot, a passenger in his son's car, said he formed the view Llewellyn's car was "racing" with a blue Skoda as they were driving at speed and performing overtaking and undertaking manoeuvres. The driver of the blue Skoda was found to be moving a friend's possessions along with the defendant. Brenda Gwilym said she saw Llewellyn's car overtaking at speed and it began to come into her lane. She thought the black Skoda had hit her and made attempts to avoid it. The witness then heard a "horrendous noise" behind her and saw the defendant's car colliding with a silver car. Mr Roberts said: "This was an utterly appalling piece of driving, weaving in and out of traffic on the wrong side of the road." The police were called by members of the public who ran to assist the occupants of the two cars. Upon attending the scene, the first responders found Llewellyn unresponsive, bent over and making gurgling sounds while Mr Page was not making any noise and had blood on his trousers and in his ears. Paramedics were unable to find a pulse and Mr Page was declared dead at the scene. The five-year-old victim was taken to hospital and suffered a 12cm to 15cm laceration to the left side of his forehead, with the "skin torn away from underlying structures". The boy now has a permanent scar to the entirety of his upper forehead which will require treatment indefinitely. Llewellyn was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and was in a critical condition, with medical professionals initially believing he had a slim chance of survival. The defendant was fit enough to be interviewed in August, 2024, and while he admitted being the driver of the car, he said he had no recollection of the collision, but claimed he was not responsible for causing Mr Page's death. Llewellyn, of Park Crescent, Abergavenny, later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The court heard he had one caution for a fraud offence. In a victim personal statement read to the court by Mr Robets, Mr Page's stepmother Julia Collins said: "Mike (Mr Page's father) was a proud father of Nick and raised him single handedly from the age of 13.... We have an awful feeling of sadness and total disbelief thinking about it. Trying to cope with his passing and the traumatic way he died is impossible to bear. "Mike and I struggle to come to terms with what happened and the way it happened. It still haunts Mike and I, thinking about his final thoughts and what he was thinking and feeling, which causes us a great deal of stress. When I heard about his injuries it haunts me and causes me distress." Ms Collins said her husband and his son were not on speaking terms at the time of Mr Page's death, and said her husband never had the chance to reconcile with him. She added: "Our only comfort is Nick was with Jack at the time and we knew he truly loved him. Nick's death has had a profound effect on Mike and every day we miss him. He will forever be in our thoughts." In her statement, the five-year-old's mother said the events of the collision were "etched" in her memories and those of her children. She added: "At the time of the collision I was pregnant and feared I would lose my baby. I have travel anxiety, constant back issues and ringing in my left ear. I have poor sleep, nightmares and headaches.... "(My son) suffers with being in the car and travel anxiety, has constant nightmares and is angry and frustrated about the crash and the scar across his forehead. He has low self esteem due to the scar and does not want it on show. He is very frustrated he has to have the scar forever and it won't go. He has counselling and support in school. "This was no fault of our own, we were travelling on the correct side of the road when the collision occurred." In mitigation, Sol Hartley said his client was "utterly devastated" by the harm and devastation he caused and is "utterly sorry" for what he did. The barrister said the defendant's driving was not "prolonged or persistent" and said there was no evidence of racing. He said Llewellyn suffered a brain injury, a bruised heart, a torn lung and a fractured hip, and had been placed in a coma in hospital. Mr Hartley said the defendant has no prospect of making a full recovery and can only walk a few steps with the aid of a walking frame. Sentencing, Judge Simon Mills said he had watched footage of the collision with a "mounting sense of horror". He paid tribute to the courage of the paramedics, police officers and members of the fire brigade who attended the scene of the crash. Judge Mills said he could not be sure the black Skoda driven by Llewellyn and the blue Skoda were racing. The judge said no sentence could put right the death of Mr Page or the injuries caused to the five-year-old victim. Llewellyn was sentenced to a total of six years imprisonment, of which he will serve two thirds in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence. The defendant was disqualified from driving for 10 years upon his release from prison. Article continues below
South Wales Argus
04-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Abergavenny man killed boyfriend in Cwmbran horror crash
Jack Llewellyn's 'utterly appalling' driving caused Nicholas Page's death following a collision on Greenforge Way in Cwmbran two years ago. The 30-year-old victim was a front seat passenger in his partner's black Skoda Octavia when they crashed. Mr Page was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor at around 4.10pm on the afternoon of Thursday, March 30, 2023. Llewellyn hit a Ford C-Max car being driven by a pregnant woman who was travelling in the opposite direction with her two young sons as backseat passengers. (Image: The crash scene on Greenforge Way in Cwmbran. Sam Weaver) He had lost control of his vehicle while speeding along the dual carriageway and 'weaving in and out of traffic' undertaking and overtaking other road uses. The defendant caused a serious injury to one of the boys in the Ford. He suffered a 'massive laceration' on his forehead which has left him scarred for life. The prosecution alleged that Llewellyn had been racing another car at the time, a claim strongly denied by him. His barrister Sol Hartley said: 'There is no evidence of racing here.' Matthew Roberts, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court: 'The defendant was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. 'He was given a slim chance of surviving such were the critical nature of his injuries.' Llewellyn suffered a bleed on the brain, bruising to the heart, a torn lung and multiple rib fractures. He spent 13 days in an induced coma and wasn't released from hospital until December 2023. The defendant is unable to walk. Mr Roberts said: 'This was an utterly appalling piece of driving. 'The defendant was weaving in and out of traffic – it is fairly and squarely dangerous driving.' In a victim statement written by Mr Page's stepmother Julia Collins on behalf of herself and his father Mike Page, she said: 'When we heard the news, there was an awful feeling of sadness and total disbelief. 'It haunts me and causes me distress. 'Our only comfort is that Nick was with Jack at the time and I know that Jack truly loved him.' She added: 'I feel helpless that I can't do anything to help Mike's pain. 'Nick's death has had a profound effect on us. 'He is, and will always be, in our thoughts. Llewellyn, aged 25, of Park Crescent, Abergavenny admitted dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Mr Hartley said in mitigation: 'He's utterly devastated by his actions and the harm that his actions have caused. 'He knows that the apology is not enough but it is heartfelt and genuine.' Mr Hartley asked the court to take into account the defendant's guilty pleas and lack of any previous convictions. Judge Simon Mills told Llywellyn he couldn't be sure if he had been racing. He added: 'I realise your partner died but he leaves others behind too.' The defendant was told he will serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison before being released on licence. Llywellyn was banned from driving for 10 years and he will have to sit an extended retest.
Wales Online
16-06-2025
- Wales Online
Man, 39, cupped teenage women's bottoms and whispered sexual comments in their ears
Man, 39, cupped teenage women's bottoms and whispered sexual comments in their ears After assaulting one of his victims, paedophile David Llewellyn said: "Come on, you love it." David Llewellyn, 39, sexually assaulted two teenage women by touching them on their bottoms. (Image: South Wales Police ) A man who had previously been found with indecent images of children sexually assaulted two teenage women by touching them on their bottoms. One of the victims said she had suffered sleepless nights as a result of the assault and was scared to go out at night. Paedophile David Llewellyn, 39, made sexualised comments towards his victims before he assaulted them and would whisper in their ears. This made the victims feel uncomfortable and anxious of being in the defendant's presence. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard one of the victim's told Llewellyn she was just 19-years-old, to which he responded: "I've done much younger than that." For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. The first victim described how the defendant got "right in her face" and cornered her when she attempted to back away from him. Llewellyn later "cupped" the victim's bottom and smirked as he told her "Come on, you love it". The second victim said the defendant also touched her bottom. Article continues below When she turned round and accused him of sexually assaulting her, he replied: "Yes, I know." The court heard the victim felt "uncomfortable and vulnerable" following the assault. Llewellyn, of Tyndall Street, Butetown, Cardiff, denied two counts of sexual assault but was found guilty of both charges following a trial. The defendant has four previous convictions, including an offence of making indecent images in 2018. As a result of this conviction, Llewellyn was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which he has breached on a number of occasions. In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Thomas Stanway, one of the victims said suffered from "sleepless nights" and was "scared to go out at night". In mitigation, Paul Hewitt said his client's situation is "bleak" and "all he has going for him" is his supported accommodation, which he would lose if sent to prison. The defence barrister said the defendant suffers with anxiety, for which he has been prescribed medication. Sentencing, Judge Carl Harrison said the offences were too serious to be dealt with by anything other than an immediate custodial sentence. Article continues below He also said the defendant had "minimised" his actions when he was interviewed by the probation service. Llewellyn was sentenced to six months imprisonment.
Pembrokeshire Herald
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Walking in Our Shoes: Empowering amputees through co-production and digital innovation
WALES is only training around a third of the necessary secondary school teachers, with nowhere near enough recruits and no improvement in sight, an education chief warned. Hayden Llewellyn, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) chief executive, gave evidence to the Senedd education committee's inquiry on recruitment and retention on June 5 Mr Llewellyn identified a clear pattern in initial teacher education, with recruitment problems centred on secondaries and 'no problem' in primary schools. The head of the workforce regulator said the Welsh Government aims for about 600 primary teachers to be trained each year, with that number overdelivered in August 2024. But he warned of a stark picture for secondaries, saying ministers are seeking to train about 1,000 teachers each year but the EWC issued 369 certificates, according to the latest data. 'About a third of the number of secondary teachers that Wales is looking for were managing to train,' he said, adding that a further 34 trained through an Open University route. Mr Llewellyn stated the trend for secondary schools has gotten worse over the past ten to 20 years, with improvements during the pandemic 'dropping back significantly'. He told Senedd Members: 'I'm sorry to say, having tracked recruitment and retention for many years – I can't really see secondary improving.' He explained recruitment in some subjects – such as PE, history and geography – is fine but maths, English, sciences, Welsh and modern foreign languages are particularly low. Mr Llewellyn raised the example of 27 maths teachers being turned out in August, with Wales looking for nearer 130. 'It's the lowest I've ever seen over the years,' he said, adding that Wales wanted 80 to 90 Welsh teachers but only 20 completed training in 2024. He pointed to EWC data showing 75% of those teaching maths are trained in the subject and, speaking more generally, he said the number is lower still for sciences. He warned: 'Given the picture with recruitment, we could see that picture deteriorating.' Mr Llewellyn raised the example set by Scotland where teachers' registration is linked to a specific subject or phase. 'You cannot teach a subject you're not trained in,' he said. Eithne Hughes, the EWC's chair, added that some in Wales are teaching not just their specialism 'but possibly a couple of others, adding to the workload pressure'. Ms Hughes said: 'That becomes an issue when you've got reduced funding and headteachers just having to have somebody in front of classes. It doesn't support standards.' Mr Llewellyn said the number of Welsh-speaking teachers is 33% – higher than the census – but it has remained static despite initiatives, with a lower number among support staff. He told the committee the number of Welsh speakers currently completing training is about 20% for primaries and 18% for secondaries, against a target of 30%. 'When you magnify that down into particular subjects, you see those figures dropping,' he said, adding that only three of the 27 new maths teachers were Welsh speakers. Ms Hughes, a former headteacher in an English-medium school, told Senedd Members she found recruiting Welsh teachers extremely difficult during her experience. Pressed about the key barriers and why Welsh Government targets are 'continually missed', Ms Hughes pointed to work-life balance, policy overload, pay, and behavioural problems. She suggested teachers are expected to be a social worker, police officer and medical expert, stressing: 'We have to allow the business of teaching… to be at the core'. Mr Llewellyn agreed: 'What it means to be a teacher… in terms of workload, stress, bureaucracy, accountability, lack of autonomy, and pupil behaviour – it's a tough gig.' He urged policymakers to treat the causes rather than the symptoms as he questioned 'flashy' promotional campaigns: 'If what you're trying to promote isn't good, it won't work.' Pointing out that the starting salary for some bus drivers is near to teachers' in Wales, he warned: 'The reality is: to be convinced to be a teacher is increasingly unlikely.' Asked about retention, he said around 2,400 teachers leave the EWC register every year, concluding: 'We need to watch this really carefully because it's OK when you lose individuals from the profession and you're recruiting the number you need back. 'But… we are recruiting nowhere near the number of secondary and Welsh-medium teachers that we need. Attrition is OK if you're replacing but therein lies the problem.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Changes to be made to Haverfordwest children's care home
WALES is only training around a third of the necessary secondary school teachers, with nowhere near enough recruits and no improvement in sight, an education chief warned. Hayden Llewellyn, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) chief executive, gave evidence to the Senedd education committee's inquiry on recruitment and retention on June 5 Mr Llewellyn identified a clear pattern in initial teacher education, with recruitment problems centred on secondaries and 'no problem' in primary schools. The head of the workforce regulator said the Welsh Government aims for about 600 primary teachers to be trained each year, with that number overdelivered in August 2024. But he warned of a stark picture for secondaries, saying ministers are seeking to train about 1,000 teachers each year but the EWC issued 369 certificates, according to the latest data. 'About a third of the number of secondary teachers that Wales is looking for were managing to train,' he said, adding that a further 34 trained through an Open University route. Mr Llewellyn stated the trend for secondary schools has gotten worse over the past ten to 20 years, with improvements during the pandemic 'dropping back significantly'. He told Senedd Members: 'I'm sorry to say, having tracked recruitment and retention for many years – I can't really see secondary improving.' He explained recruitment in some subjects – such as PE, history and geography – is fine but maths, English, sciences, Welsh and modern foreign languages are particularly low. Mr Llewellyn raised the example of 27 maths teachers being turned out in August, with Wales looking for nearer 130. 'It's the lowest I've ever seen over the years,' he said, adding that Wales wanted 80 to 90 Welsh teachers but only 20 completed training in 2024. He pointed to EWC data showing 75% of those teaching maths are trained in the subject and, speaking more generally, he said the number is lower still for sciences. He warned: 'Given the picture with recruitment, we could see that picture deteriorating.' Mr Llewellyn raised the example set by Scotland where teachers' registration is linked to a specific subject or phase. 'You cannot teach a subject you're not trained in,' he said. Eithne Hughes, the EWC's chair, added that some in Wales are teaching not just their specialism 'but possibly a couple of others, adding to the workload pressure'. Ms Hughes said: 'That becomes an issue when you've got reduced funding and headteachers just having to have somebody in front of classes. It doesn't support standards.' Mr Llewellyn said the number of Welsh-speaking teachers is 33% – higher than the census – but it has remained static despite initiatives, with a lower number among support staff. He told the committee the number of Welsh speakers currently completing training is about 20% for primaries and 18% for secondaries, against a target of 30%. 'When you magnify that down into particular subjects, you see those figures dropping,' he said, adding that only three of the 27 new maths teachers were Welsh speakers. Ms Hughes, a former headteacher in an English-medium school, told Senedd Members she found recruiting Welsh teachers extremely difficult during her experience. Pressed about the key barriers and why Welsh Government targets are 'continually missed', Ms Hughes pointed to work-life balance, policy overload, pay, and behavioural problems. She suggested teachers are expected to be a social worker, police officer and medical expert, stressing: 'We have to allow the business of teaching… to be at the core'. Mr Llewellyn agreed: 'What it means to be a teacher… in terms of workload, stress, bureaucracy, accountability, lack of autonomy, and pupil behaviour – it's a tough gig.' He urged policymakers to treat the causes rather than the symptoms as he questioned 'flashy' promotional campaigns: 'If what you're trying to promote isn't good, it won't work.' Pointing out that the starting salary for some bus drivers is near to teachers' in Wales, he warned: 'The reality is: to be convinced to be a teacher is increasingly unlikely.' Asked about retention, he said around 2,400 teachers leave the EWC register every year, concluding: 'We need to watch this really carefully because it's OK when you lose individuals from the profession and you're recruiting the number you need back. 'But… we are recruiting nowhere near the number of secondary and Welsh-medium teachers that we need. Attrition is OK if you're replacing but therein lies the problem.'
