Author: Rhys Gregory

A man who survived a brutal attack outside a Cardiff train station more than 20 years ago has died, with an inquest confirming the assault contributed to his death. Leon Adams required 24 hour care for the rest of his life after being seriously assaulted outside Grangetown Railway Station in February 2002. He was just 24 years old at the time. Leon died on Boxing Day 2024 aged 47. An inquest found that the brain injury he sustained during the attack contributed to his death. Despite extensive investigations over the past two decades, the assault on Leon, who was also…

Popeyes® UK is bringing its famous Louisiana fried chicken to Llanelli early next year. The restaurant will open a stone’s throw from the Scarlets’ stadium, following successful openings in Cardiff City Centre, Cardiff Bay, Newport and Swansea. Most recently, fans queued for 18 hours in Swansea – all hoping to be one of the first to try the legendary Popeyes® Chicken Sandwich. Llanelli residents will be able to dine in or takeaway, and enjoy a taste of the full Popeyes® menu, including fan-favourites like the iconic Popeyes® Tenders, and Signature Chicken Wraps, alongside the Chicken Sandwich. Each piece of Popeyes®…

A housebuilder is raising a toast after the last of the 287 homes in its popular Cardiff development are now sold. Redrow South Wales’ Plas Ty Draw, in Lisvane, launched in 2018, and has since created a thriving community – with 287 new neighbours joining the local region. As part of the development, the housebuilder has invested £5.39 million into supporting improvements to local transport, education and amenities as part of a planning agreement to enhance the area. Sian Smith, Divisional Sales Director of Barratt David Wilson Redrow South Wales, said: “We are delighted to have provided much-needed new homes…

Bridgend County Borough Council has updated its school attendance policy in support of its ‘Miss School, Miss Out’ campaign and to bring it in line with the latest national guidance from Welsh Government. Under the new policy, parents and carers who take pupils out of school without authorisation to go on holidays during term time will be issued with an automatic penalty. In situations where pupils are persistently late for school or have been absent for five school days in succession – the equivalent of ten morning and afternoon sessions – the council’s Education Engagement Team will issue written warnings…

A delivery driver who was caught driving with his foot on the dashboard whilst on a facetime call was one of the many drivers caught by officers conducting Op Tramline checks earlier this month. During the first week of December officers from the Road Crime Unit took part in Op Tramline – a national roads policing operation using an unmarked heavy goods vehicle. Provided by National Highways, the HGV tractor unit is used by police forces across the country to carry out patrols across strategic road networks targeting HGV drivers and commercial vehicles. The elevated position of the HGV cab…

A man who committed a string of sexual offences has been jailed following a South Wales Polcie investigation. Nicholas O’Connor, aged 35, of Cwmrhydyceirw, has been sentenced for two years after he was found guilty of several sexual offences. O’Connor appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (December 19), to be sentenced for the following convictions: Seven counts of Exposure One count of Attempt sexual assault Four counts of Sexual assault During a trial at Swansea Crown Court, it was heard that, between September 21 2024, and October 23 2024, O’Connor exposed himself to nine different women in the Swansea…

Passengers are being encouraged to plan their journey over the Christmas period, with key engineering taking place over Christmas and January. No train services or rail replacement buses will be operating on 25 and 26 December. Services will finish earlier than normal on Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve and will start later on 27 December. On New Year’s Day, TfW will be running a full mainline service and a reduced hourly service on local Cardiff and Valleys services (Vale of Glamorgan via Barry, Rhymney, Aberdare and Merthyr). Planned engineering work Between 24-31 December, Network Rail will be undertaking…

A ceremony was recently held to mark the official opening of the site since works began in 2022. Situated at the foot of the historic Bodelwyddan Castle, the site celebrated its official opening following the completion of the first phase of works. Denbighshire County Council’s Chairman Arwel Roberts officially opened the country park at the ceremony. The project received £900,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the work looking to address the condition of the parkland beginning in 2022. As a part of the works to reopen the parklands, woods and orchards to the public,…

Swansea Council is seeking views from residents for the installation of secure cycle storage units across the city. Using grant funding from the Welsh Government Active Travel Fund, the council is looking to install a number of cycle hangars is residential areas, where there is the most need. The innovative and secure ‘Cyclehoop’ bike hangars are already being used in other parts of the UK and provide an alternative option for cyclists who struggle with finding storage space in their home. Each bike hangar is made out of solid steel and can house up to six bikes. Residents will be…

Neath Port Talbot Council has welcomed the UK Government’s confirmation of a further £22 million for businesses affected by changes at Tata Steel, announced this week by the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP. The additional funding channelled through the Tata Steel Transition Board will help more local firms invest, grow, and create jobs in 2026. Cllr Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said: “The news of additional funding before Christmas is fantastic boost for local businesses. We’ve seen strong interest and uptake in these business support funds, and this means our Business Support and Economic…