PORT Talbot Sea Cadets have been given a real life experience at the town's police station.

The visit, which was sponsored by family and friends, was organised by the Port Talbot neighbourhood policing team and was aimed at raising money for the sea cadets.

The cadets arrived in fancy dress and were shown around the unit together with the custodial procedures, which included having their photographs and fingerprints taken and then being locked in the cells.

PCSO Daniel Morris, who arranged the visit, said: "The cadets were given a real life experience of what would happen if they were to get in trouble with the police in the future.

"They all agreed that the cells were not a nice place to be and did not want to return to custody as prisoners.

"The aim of the visit was to teach the youngsters about how custody procedures work but at the same time kept the kids involved, and they had a bit of fun with their fancy dress costumes."

TWO robbers who kicked and stamped on a man's head, before rifling through his pocket to take £20, have been jailed.

Jessica Bevan and her boyfriend Andrew Gaunt admitted robbery after attacking Mark Weale outside the Costcutter store in St Helen's Road as passers-by watched.

A judge said those passers-by "must be very proud of themselves".

Mr Weale was at the shop with Linda Paul, and the pair bumped into Bevan, of Carlton Terrace, Swansea, and Gaunt outside. As Mr Weale went into the shop, Bevan accused Miss Paul of spreading rumours about her boyfriend before Gaunt pulled Mr Weale out of the shop.

Prosecutor John Lloyd told Swansea Crown Court Gaunt, 24, then launched a "long, sustained" attack on Mr Weale.

CCTV showed Gaunt stamping on his victim's head before kicking him.

He then knelt over him and threw a single blow.

Bevan joined in and before she stamped on his head she was seen rifling through his pockets before the pair left the scene.

Mr Weale was shown bleeding heavily from his head, he later needed five stitches.

"Fortunately the injuries were not more significant," added Mr Lloyd.

When Gaunt, now of no fixed address, was arrested at his hostel, officers found he was wearing blood-stained clothes and shoes. When they arrived, Gaunt was washing blood from his hands.

Dishonesty

Mr Lloyd read lengthy previous convictions to the court. Bevan, 19, had previous convictions for assaults, criminal damage and dishonesty.

Her boyfriend, 24, who has moved from North Wales, had convictions for assault and public order offences.

Giles Hayes, representing both defendants, said: "They've both been estranged from their families from a very young age. That's led to a chaotic drug-fuelled lifestyle where they're living on the streets and a lifestyle where they're constantly desperate for money to fuel that long-standing addiction."

He said both understood they would face long terms of custody but had a "realistic desire" to change their ways.

"They're young adults with a lot to learn," he added.

Judge Paul Thomas said it was a "vicious" robbery.

"It included stamping and kicking, continuing long after your victim was lying helpless and defenceless on the floor," he said.

"Little money was taken but robbery will always be punished severely by the courts," he said, before jailing Gaunt for four years, and Bevan for three years in a Young Offenders Institute.

He said he accepted both had shown remorse and were making the most of their time in custody.

THE Ospreys hope their championship-winning experience will see them through the minefield that stands between them and the Pro12 play-offs.

After the home game with Treviso on Saturday, the Liberty Stadium region conclude their regular-season campaign with away dates at Glasgow and Leinster.

They are likely to need wins from all three games, with the Scarlets playing out their programme with a trio of home fixtures.

The neighbours are locked together on points in the battle for the fourth and final play-off place.

But the Ospreys, who have never failed to make the knockout stage, are counting on their efforts in previous seasons to stand them in good stead over the run-in.

Assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys said: "We have been in this situation before and so know what it takes to get on a late run.

"It isn't a question of nerve.

"It's about playing to potential and trying to improve our performance level in every game.

"We know what to do but we also know we have to play to the best of our ability."

The Ospreys intend paying Treviso every respect, with the Italians having defeated Munster and the Blues and drawn with Ulster at Ravenhill in recent weeks.

The Benetton-backed outfit have also beaten the Ospreys twice this season.

"They are a dangerous side," said Humphreys.

"Not only did they deservedly beat us, but they've also defeated all the other Welsh regions this term as well this season and have made huge steps forward.

"I watched their game against Ulster and what impressed me was the way they battled back after falling behind early on.

"They have a strong set-piece and will pose a huge challenge."

The Ospreys will be without long-term casualties such as Eli Walker, Hanno Dirksen and Tom Smith, but after a two-week break they hope to be able to field a strong side.

They are looking to improve on their display against the Blues last time out, despite winning comfortably at the Millennium Stadium.

"We'd been going well as a pack and showing a good work ethic but we fell off a bit in Cardiff," said Humphreys.

"It's important we get back to the high standards we set ourselves. Certainly, we will need to be better than we were against the Blues."

MARK ORDERS

MICHAEL Laudrup admits Swansea City are facing a transfer market headache this summer because all the bargains are abroad.

Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea's Belgian international striker, is the latest player to be linked with a close-season switch to the Liberty as Swansea prepare for battle on four fronts next season.

He joins the likes of Iago Aspas, Jose Canas and Alberto Botia in being touted as possible summer arrivals.

They are all players Laudrup admires — but that does not mean they will all end up in SA1.

There are rules over the shape of squads in the Premier League which Swansea must consider.

Homegrown

Every club must have at least eight homegrown players — those who have been produced by English or Welsh clubs — in their squads of 25.

Swansea have no problem meeting that regulation as it stands, but they are getting closer to the limit all the time.

On top of the domestic rules, Swansea are currently waiting to discover exactly what criteria they must meet to take part in the Europa League.

And that means Laudrup may have to think twice before signing another batch of foreign players.

"I have said to the club that there will always be a problem when you are one of the clubs with less economic potential at this level," said the Swansea manager.

"You can have two years in mid-table and you can win a trophy, but it doesn't make it any easier.

"If you are going to buy a British player then you will have to pay much more money.

"That doesn't just happen here — it's the same in Spain or Italy. When you have to buy a national player they will cost more money than international players.

"If you have two players at the same level, one from overseas is £3 million and the other one is £8 million, then who do you choose?

"You are not stupid so you say the one who is £3 million, but every time it is the same so what do you do?"

Swansea's current squad currently includes 12 senior players who are 'homegrown', but the number is dropping all the time.

It could dip further this summer should the likes of Mark Gower and Leroy Lita move on and, for all the value available in overseas transfer markets, Swansea must look to replenish stocks when it comes to players developed on these shores.

"So then you say you can take some players from the lower leagues, but are they good enough now to come into the Premier League?" Laudrup added.

"We're at a certain level. It is one thing if Swansea are playing in the Championship to take another player from the Championship, but you have to pay too much in the Premier League.

"You can't risk too much by signing too many players from the lower leagues because you end up getting relegated.

"It's not easy. Say we want a British player but then Newcastle or Sunderland or whoever want him as well. Then they pay £3 million more and we are out of the running.

"Every time it's the same, so when we find someone we have to do it quickly.

"We still have numbers at the moment, but it's a warning for the future."

Laudrup admits the riddle of how to get good-quality domestic players to Swansea in the future will not be an easy one to solve.

"Look at the players who were sold last season — Scott Sinclair and Joe Allen. They were British but we had to bring in foreigners.

"The players who have come in have done well, but that is not my point here.

"My point is that to replace British players with British players will cost you a lot of money.

"The only alternative to not paying a high cost is to take less quality, so it's a problem."

Swansea have had huge recent success in the top flight with players who once operated at the bottom level.

But Laudrup added: "Players likes Ashley Williams, Leon Britton and Angel Rangel came up through the divisions with this team.

"The problem is if you go and find another Ashley Williams in League One now, could he go straight in and play in the Premier League?

"Could someone from the bottom end of the Championship strengthen our team now?

"We have to strengthen our team every year, but it will be even more difficult if the players who leave are British."

HEARTBROKEN mourners gathered to pay their respects to a young Briton Ferry dad who died in a Swansea Valley car crash.

Matthew Paul John Macmillan, of Glanymor Street, died along with Mitchell Evans, 21, of Cimla, last month after their car crashed into a tree at Fforest Goch, near Rhos, Pontardawe.

Scores of family and friends flocked to Margam Crematorium for Mr Macmillan's funeral yesterday.

The service heard that the 21-year-old, a former Cwrt Sart Comprehensive School pupil, was a very popular man who was known as Millan to friends.

Reverend Gail Edwards read a passage that was from Mr Macmillan's partner Becky and his daughter Macey.

Becky said she would always remember the morning before he died as he fed Macey her breakfast, changed her, and they went for a walk. "I will treasure that day until the end," she said.

She added: "I have so many amazing memories and Macey will know every one. I will never let her forget you. My life will never be the same without you."

Reverend Edwards also read out a message from his sister Siobhan.

She said: "I have so many special memories to treasure. I am so proud to be your little sister. I am going to miss everything about you, especially your cheeky grin.

"You have left a massive gap in my life. Sleep tight brother."

Reverend Edwards said Mr Macmillan "doted on Macey". She said: "Macey was his world. He was warm, loving, with a sense of humour.

"Matt was a people person. He cared about others and was thoughtful and very respectful. He was a very popular man and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."

There were only family flowers, but donations can be made in lieu for the CCU at Morriston Hospital.

On Friday, a funeral service, again at Margam Crematorium, will take place for Mr Evans, starting at 2pm.

A donation can be made to the British Heart Foundation.

A FFORESTFACH mum whose family had their visa applications rejected has spoken of her joy at having the decision overturned.

The Post reported on the plight of Zena Hamodat and her family back in January. She had come to the UK in December 2011 in the hope of establishing a new life for herself, her husband Ahmad and their two children Salah al Deen, seven, and Rabab, five, in December 2011.

But despite working full-time and her being a British citizen, the family's visa applications were rejected.

Now, following an appeal to the UK Border Agency, the decision has been overturned and the family are back in Swansea.

Mrs Hamodat said: "When we had an email through from our solicitors saying we had won the appeal, we just couldn't believe it. We were jumping up and down, shouting we have won, we've won, even the kids joined in.

"When we went to the British Embassy in Jordan, my husband simply couldn't believe we were going to get the visas.

"It was, and is, so so emotional, we are so happy now.

"We have had to put our lives on hold, now we are starting our lives together." The family's initial application was rejected by the UK Border Agency as it did not believe Zena earned enough money to support her family, despite her working full-time at the KFC restaurant at Morfa Retail Park and claiming no benefits.

Mrs Hamodat, 33, of Ael y Bryn, said the family were now looking forward to beginning their lives in Swansea and paid tribute to those who had supported her when she was separated from her children and husband.

Exciting

"I am looking forward to going back to work and Ahmad will be looking forward too. We have applied for his national insurance number and will be getting an appointment at the job centre," she said.

"Everyone in the community has been so supportive, my friends from work, Katie Bater and Ned Suliaman, and all the team members there have brilliant.

"I want to thank the Evening Post and my solicitor Adrian Farley too.

"It is so exciting now, we will be moving home to Plasmarl and registering the children for school, they don't speak English yet but they will learn.

"We have been in a bad way, it has been very hard and it has cost us a lot.

"When I was in Jordan, I didn't know what was going to happen or if I was coming back.

"It is such an exciting time for us."

A MUM has branded ambulance stacking outside Morriston Hospital as farcical.

Sian Smitham claimed there were 14 of them waiting hours to unload patients at A&E on Tuesday night and, at the same time, 19 emergency calls for help from sick members of the public.

Mrs Smitham, who was with her ill grandmother at the time, said: "I want to get an AM down there and ask: 'Would you be happy if it was your gran?'. You can sense the frustration of the ambulance crews. It just seemed farcical."

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health (ABMU) Board said an "exceptional" number of ambulances arrived with seriously ill patients on Tuesday night, and some were diverted to other hospitals.

Another woman, who asked the Post not to name her because her partner works within the NHS, claimed ambulance stacking was hitting "dangerous levels".

She said: "Lives are being put at risk, as well as the wellbeing of paramedics and A&E staff." Mrs Smitham said she did not blame hospital staff, and felt it was time to end free prescriptions, costing £585 million per year in Wales, to spend on A&Es.

The 36-year-old, of Neath Abbey, explained that her gran, of Trallwn, Swansea, had exhibited stroke-like symptoms and was taken to Morriston A&E at around 8.15pm on Tuesday.

She said: "When we got there I could not believe the queues of ambulances."

She said paramedics liaised with medics inside A&E and administered oxygen to her gran inside the ambulance but could not inject intravenous drugs.

She said three and a half hours later her gran, who had an infection rather than a stroke, was admitted but spent the night on a trolley in a section of A&E. "I overheard another ambulance man saying there were 19 calls outstanding," said Mrs Smitham, of Danygraig Road.

"It was also mentioned that Llanelli's one ambulance was also waiting to deliver its patient."

The roles of the region's hospitals are being examined under ABMU's Changing For the Better programme and another, at times overlapping, South Wales Programme. ABMU's programme concedes that its A&E departments at Morriston and Bridgend's Princess of Wales Hospital "have a chronic shortage of doctors, both middle grade and at consultant level, which puts them under constant pressure".

The Welsh Government expects 95 per cent of patients to be seen by medics within four hours of arriving at A&E. The figure for Morriston in February was 76 per cent. Health chiefs expect paramedics to respond to 65 per cent of emergency calls within eight minutes. The latest figures were 63 per cent for Swansea, 53 for Neath Port Talbot, and 58 for Carmarthenshire.

Two weeks ago nearly half of Wales's A&E consultants signed a letter to Health Minister Mark Drakeford claiming patients were dying because A&E departments were reaching meltdown.

An ABMU spokeswoman said extra consultants were brought in to Morriston on Tuesday night, adding: "We are focussing on discharging appropriate patients back into the community with support."

MICHAEL Laudrup has admitted he is delighted to see Swansea City linked with players of the calibre of Jose Canas and Romelu Lukaku.

But the Swansea manager is keeping quiet, for now, about who he wants to sign this summer.

There are strong suggestions that Swansea are close to finalising a deal to bring Real Betis midfielder Canas to the Liberty at the end of the season.

And it has also emerged that Belgium teenager Lukaku is on Swansea's list of possible attacking recruits alongside long-term target Iago Aspas.

Laudrup insists it is not right to comment yet on which new faces he wants on board next season.

But the Swansea manager said: "What I can say is that I am happy to hear the players you are mentioning.

"It's good to hear talk about those players and Swansea because the players are at a very high level.

"I would be feeling sorry if you mentioned names and I thought 'I don't think they are good enough to play here'.

"But you are talking about one player who is the captain of a Spanish side and another who has scored 13 goals with West Brom this season.

"They are good players, and I always like to have good players."

A host of others — including a number of La Liga stars — have already been mentioned as potential arrivals at the Liberty ahead of the 2013-14 campaign.

And Laudrup accepts that the speculation is likely to increase as the transfer window approaches.

"I am sure there are another five or six names you could ask me about now, and no doubt there will be many more names mentioned than the actual number of players we need," he added.

"We cannot sign them all — or even try to sign them all.

"But we need to be strong next season, even stronger than we have been this season.

"We want to get into the group stage of the Europa League and if we do that, you can see what can happen. Look at Newcastle this year.

"They were fifth last season but this year they have been fighting at the other end of the table.

"It's tough to play in four competitions and you need a strong team.

"You don't need 40 players, but you need a strong team."

All being well, the combative Canas is set to arrive in Wales in the summer.

It is thought he has agreed a pre-contract with Swansea, but for now his focus is on trying to get Real Betis into Europe.

Currently seventh in La Liga, Betis face their arch rivals in the Seville derby tomorrow night.

"I think we need to have respect for these players, and you are asking me about a player from Betis and they have a possibility of getting into Europe," Laudrup said.

"They have the derby against Sevilla this weekend.

"That's a huge game — like Swansea against Cardiff.

"And this one is especially big for Betis because they lost the first one earlier this season 5-1, so I don't think it's fair to talk about one of their players.

"It's a player I know well, but I know a lot of players."

Swansea, meanwhile, look set to sign teenage triallist Kenji Gorre on an initial one-year deal.

The 18-year-old winger has been told he has no future at Manchester United.

POLICE are urging pubbers and clubbers to "be brave and walk away" from trouble as part of a campaign to cut drunken-violence.

South Wales Police chief superintendent Julian Williams — the head of police in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot — made the call as part of the new One Punch Ruins Lives drive, which is aiming to change attitudes about night-time violence.

The campaign is focusing on the long term impacts one thoughtless punch can have, both for the victim and the offender.

Mr Williams said: "One stupid, drunken punch is all it takes for someone to ruin their victim's life and their own life.

"Violence is totally unacceptable in any situation and excessive alcohol is no excuse.

"I strongly urge people who want to enjoy a night out in our vibrant city centre and towns to take responsibility for their own actions, be brave and walk away from aggression and violence.

"Those who ignore our warning and refuse to change their behaviour will face arrest, being banned from pubs and clubs and a criminal record which could seriously damage a person's plans for the future." He added: "Violence will not be tolerated in Swansea, Neath or Port Talbot's night-time economies."

The campaign is targeted particularly at 18-to-25 year olds — more than six-out-of-ten of victims of violence are in that age group, as are 40 per cent of offenders.

THE Ospreys insist they can accommodate Justin Tipuric and Sam Lewis — and have flagged up the prospect of the two opensides playing together at some point.

Tipuric is in the frame to tour with the Lions this summer, having had a hugely successful Six Nations with Wales.

He is set to feature in the region's final three scheduled games of the season, starting against Treviso in Swansea tomorrow evening, but the Ospreys haven't forgotten about Lewis, who excelled while the internationals were away during the Six Nations. "We can accommodate Justin and Sam," said forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.

"To be competitive in any tournament, you need two top-drawer players in each position and that is what these boys are.

"The way it is, Justin will be a Welsh international for many years to come, and for large chunks of each season we will be playing without him.

"So we are very fortunate we have someone like Sam, who wants to play in the big games and pushes him all the way.

"He provides something different and we may play both of them in the same side at some point.

"We just count ourselves lucky to have them."

In many ways, Tipuric is a force of nature, the Trebanos man having banged in two 80-minute performances on successive weekends after the Six Nations and performed at full tilt on each occasion.

Where former Swansea man Lewis stands out is with his defensive work, which is close to being as good as anything in Wales.

Meantime, the Ospreys are hoping their fans will turn out in force for the final home game of the season, against Treviso.

"We love playing at home," said Humphreys.

"Over the past year the atmosphere in the stadium has been great and it would mean a lot if we had a decent turnout for the game with Treviso.

"They are a strong side, who forced a draw in Ulster not so long ago, so we are expecting a big challenge.

"Hopefully, the fans will be there in numbers. The boys respond to good support."

MARK ORDERS

A FORMER British Olympic cyclist has admitted growing cannabis plants worth up to £24,000.

Darryl James Webster, of Dolawel, Pencader, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates' Court to producing 28 cannabis plants at a house owned by his partner in Drefach Felindre and nine others in a cellar at his home.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting, said police found two cannabis growing rooms in the house in Drefach Felindre during a search following a tip-off.

One contained no cannabis but several pots with only storks remaining — evidence that plants had recently been harvested, he said.

The windows of the rooms had been blacked out and the walls were covered with a silver foil.

"It was a sophisticated state of affairs," Mr Davies added.

Officers then went to Webster's home, where initially he refused to let them in.

After he was arrested he showed them to a plastic storage box containing cannabis and then took them to the cellar, where they found a cultivation room.

Webster was taken into custody, where he told police the cannabis was for his own personal use. But Mr Davies said: "There was a professional set-up here.

"The production of cannabis was over and above what could be for any one person's use.

"The potential value is between £17,000 and £24,000."

In mitigation Janem Jones said Webster, aged 50, who represented the UK at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, had acute depression and had contemplated committing suicide.

Mrs Jones handed magistrates a medical report for the defendant from Hywel Dda Health Board.

She said that in his time he had been a professional cyclist and an Olympian.

"During this time he spoke strongly against the use of drugs," she said. "He uses the cannabis only for medical purposes."

Mrs Jones said Webster was "desperately sorry" for committing the offence and that he would never take the Class B drug again.

Webster was committed to appear at Swansea Crown Court for sentence on Friday, May 10.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man lived out his "fantasy" of being a policeman by wearing a stab vest and carrying handcuffs and escorting young children home, a court has heard.

Adam John also intervened when PCSOs were dealing with youth annoyance, telling one of the youngsters involved he could arrest him.

When police searched John's house they found a haul of police-related items including body armour, a utility belt, police-issue cotton shirt, fluorescent jackets, handcuffs and a holder for a baton.

John — formerly of Glan y Wern Road, Llansamlet, and who is also known as Adam Griffiths — had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of impersonating a police officer when he appeared at Swansea Magistrates' Court yesterday for sentencing.

Julie Sullivan, for the Crown, said that on the evening of March 3 the defendant was in a taxi in Llansamlet when he approached three children.

She said: "The defendant said to the children he was a police officer, and asked them what were they doing out at such a late hour."

He then asked them to get into the taxi, but when they refused he "escorted" them to a house belonging to a relative of one of the children.

Annoyance

John then left, and around 30 minutes later was in Mewslade Avenue in Blaenymaes, where he spoke to PCSOs who were dealing with youth annoyance.

The court heard he said to the officers, "like you I am in the job", and then went over to one of the youngsters the officers were dealing with, showed him his handcuffs, and told him he could arrest him.

Craig Harding, in mitigation, said John — who had since moved to the northeast of England and found work with security firm G4S — said his client's behaviour had been "bizarre" but that there was nothing sinister to it.

"He has always harboured ambitions of joining the police force or the Armed Forces," he added.

For each of the two counts of impersonating a police officer, John was given a four-month prison sentence to run concurrently, both suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a 13-week 8pm to 8am curfew, and was ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Sonia Walters, chairwoman of the magistrates, said: "These offences are very disturbing — you targeted vulnerable members of the public to fulfil a fantasy of being a police officer."

HOLLYWOOD is coming to Neath for the UK premiere of a major TV series filmed in Swansea Bay.

Batman and Blade scriptwriter David S Goyer will be at the star-studded event to celebrate the launch of Da Vinci's Demons at the Gwyn Hall in Neath on Thursday.

Tom Riley, who takes on the role of the young Da Vinci, will also be on the red carpet, along with TV producer Julie Gardiner and Swansea-born Doctor Who production designer Ed Thomas.

Other cast members are yet to be confirmed for the special night.

It will be screened in Neath the day before the eight-part historical fantasy hits UK screens.

The series saw South West Wales transformed into Florence, with Margam Park turned into the Medici Palace and Swansea and Port Talbot becoming the backdrop for the much talked about new show. Filming has also been centred at the former Visteon site, which is now known as Bay Studios in Fabian Way, Port Talbot.

David S Goyer revealed he had always been fascinated by the life of Leonardo Da Vinci. He said: "I had always had a fascination with da Vinci and I was amazed there had never been a movie specifically about him or a TV show, which strikes me as kind of crazy.

"I don't know anyone who has ever achieved or mastered all the things that he did. And he was a colourful character.

"His life was filled with a lot of controversy, which is always good."

The series is the first co-production between Starz and BBC Worldwide and features Upstairs Downstairs star Laura Haddock who plays Lucrezia Donati, the mistress of Lorenzo Medici.

It has already been premiered in Florence, Cannes and Phoenix and the show is being screened right across the world. There will be a preview show, Da Vinci's Demons: Genius in the Making, on Fox at 10pm tonight. And the series will have its UK on-screen premiere on Fox TV on Friday, April 19.

Fantasy drama brings renaissance to South Wales — pages 20&21

A CARER accused of ill-treating a vulnerable client has been found not guilty within less than an hour by a jury.

The jury at Swansea Crown Court delivered their verdict of not guilty against John Riddell- Turner.

The prosecution had claimed he had ill-treated the woman in his care at Maesglas Community Support Unit during an incident on July 11, 2011.

But his colleagues took to the stand defending his reputation, with one calling him a "fantastic carer".

An allegation was made by Susan Grenfell, a care worker who said she had no formal experience of working with people with learning difficulties.

She had worked her first shift at the unit the day before, the court heard, and alleged that after the woman had thrown some sandwiches on the floor, Mr Riddell- Turner lost his temper and grabbed the woman before dragging her from the lounge.

Mr Riddell-Turner, 51, maintained throughout his police interview and during the trial that he had guided the woman from the room for the safety of herself and other staff. He said Miss Grenfell seemed flustered by the woman's outburst because of her inexperience so he escorted the woman out of the room by putting one hand on her shoulder and the other on her wrist.

"I was concerned she would follow up the throwing with a physical attack.

"I don't know Susan Grenfell from Adam so I didn't know how she would react," he had told the jury.

He "categorically denied" abusing the woman, who he had worked with since 1995.

He broke down in tears as he told police in his interview that he found the allegation "insulting" after completing 30 years of work in the care industry with no cautions, reprimands or incidents.

He had denied claims by prosecution barrister Patrick Griffiths that he had lashed out after losing his temper because he was under pressure at work.

The not guilty verdict was the second received by Mr Riddell- Turner during the trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Judge Peter Heywood had already told the jury to return a not guilty verdict on a second count alleging ill-treatment on the same woman.

That allegation was made by two members of cleaning staff who came forward after Mr Riddell-Turner was suspended for the allegation made by Miss Grenfell.

They alleged they had seen him abuse the women in a separate, earlier, incident.

After a legal submission by defence barrister Ieuan Rees the judge said the content of the evidence given by Deborah Pavey and Joanne Arnold was too different from each other and he directed a not guilty verdict be given.

The allegation the jury were left to decide upon stemmed from an incident at tea-time on July 11, 2011, when the woman, who has Downs Syndrome and severe learning difficulties — was eating her dinner in the lounge of the unit.

Miss Grenfell had alleged Mr Riddell-Turner, of Merlin Crescent, Townhill, had said he was "out of order" in his actions.

She said that when she confronted him about it, he refused to answer.

He was suspended by Swansea council after the incident.

MEASLES cases have risen to almost 700 in the Swansea area.

Public health experts say in the past week 73 new cases have been reported — taking the overall figure to 693.

Further calls have been made for mums and dads to protect their children against the potentially fatal disease if they haven't had the vaccine through the MMR jab.

More drop-in vaccination clinics are taking place tomorrow at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board's Singleton, Morriston, Neath Port Talbot and Princess of Wales hospitals between 10am and 4pm.

Steps have been taken to ensure more than 2,600 MMR vaccines were given in the Swansea area last week.

There were 1,726 jabs given at the special sessions and more than 900 in GP surgeries. But there are still 6,000 unvaccinated children in the Swansea area.

And Public Health Wales has warned the number of people who have had the jab is not enough to curb the outbreak from spreading even further.

Dr Marion Lyons, director of health protection for Public Health Wales, said: "With measles cases at almost 700, with 73 of those reported in the last two days alone, we remain extremely concerned that this outbreak is showing no signs of going away.

"We are delighted to see parents starting to arrange vaccination for their children but the numbers simply aren't high enough to bring the outbreak under control when 6,000 children remain at risk from measles in the Swansea area alone."

She added: "Parents are reminded that we are not just talking about small children who would be due for MMR vaccinations in the near future anyway — we urgently need to see more older children who have missed vaccinations in the past coming forward. We have particular concerns about unvaccinated children in the 10 to 14 years age group. It is never too late to catch up on missed MMR doses."

Public Health Wales says it fears a child could die of measles or be left with serious complications, including eye disorders, deafness or brain damage.

Cases of the illness have been reported across Wales but most have been diagnosed in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Powys and Hywel Dda Health Board areas.

Dr Marion Lyons said it was vital to have the jab and added: "MMR vaccination offers the only protection against these complications."

CLASH may just be the operative word when two former Swansea City managers square up at Wembley tomorrow.

Kenny Jackett and Roberto Martinez both played their parts in the success story which sees Swansea preparing for European football next season.

And for a long time, they were working together.

Things came to a fairly sour end when Jackett told Martinez his services were no longer required in SA1.

Yet Martinez, of course, would be back to succeed where Jackett had failed.

Jackett and Martinez will walk out under the arch side by side tomorrow evening as Millwall try to upset Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup semi-final.

The last time they were together for a showpiece occasion, Jackett ensured that Martinez remained in the stands.

It was the 2006 League One play-off final, when Jackett's Swansea side took on Barnsley at the Millennium Stadium.

Martinez was Swansea's club captain, but Kristian O'Leary and Owain Tudur Jones played at the heart of Jackett's midfield.

There was no central midfielder among Jackett's five substitutes, so Martinez did not even get changed.

It was not a huge shock, therefore, when a couple of days after Swansea were beaten on penalties, Jackett called the out-of-contract Martinez into his office and informed him that there was no new deal on the table.

Martinez's sparkling spell as a Swansea player had come to a miserable, undignified conclusion.

This was not a fitting farewell for a man who had brought so much to Swansea after Brian Flynn coaxed him to South Wales early in 2003.

Flynn made some huge signings in that most significant of seasons, with the likes of Kevin Nugent, Lenny Johnrose and Neil Cutler playing their part in helping Swansea avoid the drop.

Then there were the youngsters who would go on and become Swansea legends, Leon Britton and Alan Tate.

But if you had to pick out one of Flynn's numerous recruits as the biggest influence in that survival fight, Martinez would surely be the man.

His immense contribution did not end there, of course.

A little further down the line, Martinez would steer Swansea in a whole new direction, a decision the club are still reaping the benefits from today.

Long before he swapped his boots for those trademark brown loafers, Martinez was a key Swansea player.

The Spaniard's most important spell wearing the Swansea shirt was the first few months after he arrived from Walsall reserves.

He was the central figure in a Swansea side which was very quickly rebuilt and got the job done — namely dodging the drop to the Conference — by the skin of their teeth.

After the drama of Rochdale and Hull City, Swansea began their ascent of the football pyramid.

Martinez continued to have an influence as the team began to improve, featuring regularly even after Flynn was axed and replaced by Jackett in the spring of 2004.

A classy, ball-playing midfielder, Martinez was a firm favourite with the fans by the time Jackett arrived.

Yet Swansea's new manager wasted little time in shaking things up, memorably leaving Martinez out of his squad in the second game of his first full season at the helm.

Martinez fought back, making 42 appearances in Jackett's maiden campaign — 2004-05 — and another 48 in the following season.

But all along there was a feeling that Martinez was not Jackett's type of central midfielder.

Equally, there was a sense that Martinez was not convinced about the style of football Jackett wanted Swansea to play.

That much became clear when, after his release in the wake of Barnsley in 2006, Martinez got a call from the Liberty in February 2007.

Jackett had walked when it became obvious that automatic promotion — Swansea's goal for the season after the Barnsley heartbreaker — was not going to happen.

And rather than go for a more experienced successor, Huw Jenkins turned to Martinez.

It proved an inspired move. The story goes that Martinez, who had signed for Chester City after being freed by Jackett, climbed off the team bus to get in his car and drive back to Wales.

Swansea's decision-makers had not forgotten the class Martinez had shown during his time as one of their players.

And they remembered, too, his thoughts on how football should be played.

Jackett's contribution to Swansea's climb from League Two to the Premier League should not be forgotten.

He was the one who masterminded the first promotion, after all, having instilled greater discipline and defensive grit during almost three seasons at the helm.

That promotion was all the more impressive given that it came in Swansea's final year at Vetch Field, which brought with it a set of pressures no other manager of the club has faced.

Jackett came within a penalty shootout of taking Swansea up the next rung a year later but, with hindsight, the club's followers may be glad their team were beaten in Cardiff.

The Barnsley loss was the beginning of the end for Jackett, and the appointment of Martinez as his successor must go down as one of the most critical days in more than a century of Swansea history.

He would lead Swansea into the Championship, Garry Monk lifting the League One trophy at Brighton after Martinez's men had dominated the third tier.

And like Jackett, he would do a fine job of establishing the club at the next level.

But what was really important about Martinez the Swansea manager was the philosophy which he introduced.

To change the mindset, to do something that was out of the ordinary in the English lower leagues, was brave for a managerial novice. But Martinez got it right, and Swansea have been building on the foundations he laid ever since.

Though Jackett did his bit, Martinez was the bigger influence in Swansea's remarkable rise.

He will hope to outshine his old boss once more this weekend, but Millwall's players will have other ideas.

SOME patients prefer watching what goes on in A&E than getting treatment at more suitable venues, local health chiefs have said.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board has admitted the situation at Swansea's Morriston Hospital was not ideal, with unexpected numbers of seriously ill patients arriving by ambulance, which have stacked up outside.

But it has reiterated that patients who don't come by ambulance should consider visiting minor injury units at Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals or phoning the GP out of hours service, if appropriate.

"The position at the emergency department has improved and there were no ambulance delays overnight on Wednesday," said an ABMU spokeswoman.

"People are still attending the department who could be treated more quickly by more appropriate services. Some patients even prefer to sit and wait in the emergency department watching what is going on rather than use one of these services."

The Post has been contacted by many people concerned about A&E jams and queuing ambulances.

Alma Parfitt, of Gendros, accompanied her mum Dorothy Burrington to Morriston A&E after the 93-year-old experienced breathing problems at her Swansea care home.

She said the ambulance arrived at A&E at 11.34am on Monday but that her mother was admitted at 3.30pm, although paramedics liaised with A&E staff in the meantime. Mrs Parfitt said that, according to paramedics, A&E staff then planned to return her to the ambulance.

"But the paramedics had a word and she was put in a trolley bay," she said. "The following day at 12.30pm she was taken to the Clinical Decision Unit.

"My mother was very, very poorly, and the paramedics were frustrated. It is the system letting people down."

LIONS candidate Richard Hibbard has made one thing clear as he heads into tomorrow evening's vital Pro12 encounter against Treviso at the Liberty — that the Ospreys are his top priority for the remaining weeks of the season.

The hooker who tackles like thunder is firmly in the reckoning for a spot in Warren Gatland's party this summer after making a big impact in the Six Nations.

Fearless and immensely physical, with zero regard for his own safety, the former Swansea man was especially to the fore in the 30-3 win over England, with his crushing hit on Joe Marler seriously shaking the prop, if not the entire Millennium Stadium.

Lions coach Gatland would have been impressed, but with the Ospreys locked in a fierce battle with the Scarlets to make the play-offs, Hibbard insists his focus for the time being is only on the region.

"You can't allow your thoughts to drift off at this point," said Hibbard.

"We have three games left that are massive, starting with Treviso and then seeing us travel to Glasgow and Leinster.

"It doesn't get much tougher in this league and if we are going to win all three we all simply have to be on the ball as individuals and as a team.

"I'm not thinking about the Lions. Every player wants to go, but it's something you can't set your heart on or allow yourself to think about because you'll end up being disappointed if it doesn't happen.

"You learn that the hard way. I missed the last World Cup after picking up an injury during the final warm-up game.

"Sometimes it happens like that. My goal now is to help the Ospreys into the play-offs. They pay my wages and they deserve my full attention.

"I don't think any of the boys will be thinking about the Lions over the coming weeks. It's all about the region and getting into the play-offs."

But the job of making the knockout games is hugely difficult, with Treviso likely to be keen to cause an upset in Swansea.

"They have pretty much the Italian pack playing for them," said Hibbard.

"We know how good they are. They play for each other and they enjoy taking sides on at forward. But that's our game as well. It should be a good match."

JOB creation and a predictable supply of renewable energy were welcomed by the public in the first face-to-face consultation with the company behind a giant lagoon off Swansea.

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay took its £650 million scheme to the Civic Centre yesterday — and people's reaction was positive.

"I think it is a good idea," said Len Rowe, of Mumbles. "It will hopefully employ thousands of people."

Kate Taylor, of Pennard, said: "It is a very interesting idea. We have got to generate our energy from somewhere. It looks as if the benefits will outweigh the disadvantages."

Chris Hamilton-Smith, of SA1, welcomed the design of the turbines, which spin on both ebb and flow tides.

"You get four bites of the cherry in 24 hours," he said.

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay's promotional film explained how dredgers would suck up sand and gravel to fill huge geo-textile tubes which, bolstered by sand and rock, would create a lagoon — attached to land on one side — enclosing an 11sq km area between the channels of the Tawe and Neath rivers.

At low tide the retreating sea would leave 11.3 metres of lagoon wall visible, while at high tide the wall would be 2.8 metres above the watermark.

The company said 26 turbines would generate electricity for more than 100,000 homes. The whopping construction cost would be borne by private investors who would expect a return from sales of electricity and Government-backed renewable energy subsidies.

The company's head of planning, Alex Herbert, said the lagoon would generate 3,000 direct and indirect construction jobs, although an independent survey is being commissioned on this. More informal consultation events take place at the Ostreme Centre, Mumbles, on April 16 and 17, and the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot, on April 18.

A formal public consultation is due to start in June, along with the publication of a preliminary environmental assessment report, ahead of a consent application — and the all-important environmental impact assessment — in October.

"I have done a lot of consultations in my time, and this is one of the most enjoyable to do," said Mr Herbert.