Author: Rhys Gregory

An organised crime gang who burgled several homes across Wrexham and Flintshire have been jailed for a combined total of almost 10 years. Over a five-month period from January last year, three men and a woman conspired together to burgle six homes, mainly targeting vulnerable and elderly residents. The gang would scope out their victims before targeting their homes days later, taking cash, jewellery, and valuable watches. They came up with a cover story believing they would fool some of their elderly victims, claiming they were ransacking their homes in a bid to find their missing cat. Operation Venom, an…

A man has been found guilty of the murder of Shelley Davies in Caerau, Cardiff. Kian Bateman, of Caerau, Cardiff, has also been found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to Shelley’s partner David Bratcher. Emergency services were called to Heol Trelai just before 12.30am on Saturday September 27, 2025, to a report that the driver of a car had collided with pedestrians outside the 4th Glamorgan Home Guard Club. Shelley Davies, 38, from Caerau, was seriously injured during the incident having been run over by the car, and despite critical care, sadly died at the University…

A large audience enjoyed a vibrant and uplifting concert presented by the Ceredigion Music Service at Aberystwyth Arts Centre last Sunday. The memorable event showcased the remarkable talent of young musicians from across the county, alongside distinguished guest performers. The programme featured Ceredigion Music Service Intermediate Orchestra and Choir, who performed a diverse repertoire, ranging from arrangements of traditional Welsh music to works from the classical period and musical theatre. The concert also provided an opportunity to highlight the talents of senior members of the service who will represent the county at a national level when they compete at the…

A leading South Wales-headquartered self-storage operator is continuing its growth across the UK after announcing a new strategic partnership with Pickfords, the UK’s largest and best known removals company, to develop a new self-storage facility in Aberdeen. The UK self-storage sector has reached an estimated annual turnover of £1.3 billion, according to the latest UK Self Storage Annual Report published by Cushman & Wakefield and the Self Storage Association UK this week [29 April 2026], with operators continuing to expand capacity amid what has been described as a growing “container revolution” across the market. The report also highlights particularly strong…

A new chapter is set to begin for one of Wrexham’s most recognisable buildings, as the keys to the ground floor of The Old Library have been handed to a new occupier who will shape its next phase. The building will soon be home to a new business called Queen’s Square Social, a vibrant food, social and creative space on the ground floor that will bring fresh activity into the city centre. The project is led by entrepreneur Steven Hesketh, founder of The SAVVY Collective, who aims to create an everyday “third space” for Wrexham. The venue is designed to…

Traffic disruption is affecting part of the A48 in Cardiff this morning following an ongoing incident near the University Hospital of Wales. South Wales Police confirmed officers are at the scene on the A48 by the Heath Hospital, with the westbound carriageway currently closed before the hospital. Traffic is being diverted up towards the University Hospital of Wales before being redirected back towards Gabalfa Roundabout. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible while the incident is dealt with. In a statement, South Wales Police said: “We’re at the scene of an incident on…

A 24-year-old man who raped a young woman in Wrexham has been jailed. Gift Oladele, of the Manchester area and currently of no fixed abode, violently attacked the 19-year-old victim as she walked home following a night out with friends. Oladele introduced himself to the victim and her friend in the city centre in the early hours of September 7 last year. He insisted on walking her home, claiming he was heading in the same direction. As they walked alone towards Mold Road, he raped her on an isolated footpath. Following the attack, he warned her not to report the…

Pembrokeshire County Council is once again preparing for the annual Tenby Pedestrianisation scheme. The scheme is due to start on Monday 6th July and finish on Friday 11th September and run between 11am – 5.30pm each day. The scheme will again see the Walled Town divided into three ‘zones,’ each of which will have varying degrees of vehicle access. Full details of the scheme and the on-line application form will be available from Friday 1st May and can be found on the Council’s website at https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/tenby-pedestrianisation Residents and business within the Walled Town are encouraged to complete the application process…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has announced that Councillor Ann Crimmings has been elected as the new Leader of the Council at its Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday, April 29. Councillor Ann Crimmings was elected following the decision of Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE to step down from the role earlier this year. Councillor Crimmings, who has represented the Aberdare West and Llwydcoed ward since 2004, becomes the second female Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. As well as being a Councillor, Ann is an active volunteer in a number of community groups and committees including Cwmdare for Cwmdare, Friends of…

Electric vehicle owners in Swansea are taking part in a trial which enables them to charge their vehicles on-street outside their homes. Swansea Council has joined forces with an electric vehicle charging company – Kerbo Charge, who has developed a solution which caters for electric vehicle owners who do not have an off-street parking space. Households across the city previously registered their interest in the trial. Ten households were selected and have now had charging equipment installed at their property. The innovative solution caters for electric vehicle owners who park on the roadside in their street and involves the creation of channels in…