A POPULAR youth football coach died after a heavy drinking session during this summer's World Cup.

An inquest heard that Kevin Young had been socialising with friends in the Commercial Inn, Brynhyfryd, Swansea, on June 14.

A group of them headed to a house in Waun Wen where they continued drinking beer and watching the international football.

But Mr Young became unwell after drinking from a bottle of spirits, and suffered an acute hypoxic brain injury.

His friends, four of whom gave evidence at yesterday's inquest, were praised by assistant Swansea coroner Aled Gruffydd for their efforts to help him. One of them, basic first aider Michael Williams, described applying chest compressions and doing his best to clear his friend's airways.

The emergency services took over at the scene and paramedics transferred Mr Young to Morriston Hospital. But a decision was made the following afternoon to switch off his life support machine.

In a statement read out by Mr Gruffydd, Mr Young's sister Karen Mills said: "Kevin's death has left the family devastated, and there is a hole that will never be filled."

And his ex-wife Nerys Cartwright, with whom he had a son and daughter, said: "He was always there for the children, both financially and emotionally".

Mr Young, 43, was born in England but moved at a very young age to Godre'r Graig in the Swansea Valley. After leaving school he worked in Ystradgynlais, Neath and then at the Addis factory in Swansea.

An avid footballer and talented pool player, he went on to coach at Plough Colts AFC.

Morriston Hospital consultant pathologist Dr Gareth Leopold gave the cause of death as acute hypoxic brain injury.

"I think there was an acute episode as a result of the alcohol," he said.

Recording a conclusion of death by misadventure, Mr Gruffydd said Mr Young's ultimately fatal actions on the night of June 14 were "bravado" or "show-boating", and that there was no intention to harm himself.

Referring to a note by paramedics, Mr Gruffydd said that on the balance of probabilities, a blockage in Mr Young's airway precipitated his brain injury.

Richard Youle / Richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk / @YoulePost

Brynhyfryd  Waun Wen

A WOMAN has been detained under the mental health act in hospital after a police rescue evacuation saved her from suffocation as pipes leaked noxious gas into a Llanelli home.

The woman was not the only person who needed to be evacuated from the house by the emergency services at the incident in the Bynea area.

A man also had to be removed from the home and was given treatment at the scene from firefighters.

Witnesses reported seeing a man lying in the middle of the road.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said: "At approximately 9pm on Friday, a report was received of concern in relation to a property and the occupant inside, in Cwmfelin Road."

Five minutes later, the police force requested the assistance of firefighters, as the caller believed the gas supply in the house had burst.

"Officers attended, along with the fire service, ambulance service, and the gas board," the police spokeswoman said.

An evacuation began with emergency services urging those in neighbouring homes to leave as a precaution.

"Entry was forced to the property and the female occupant was conveyed to hospital by ambulance, where she remains," the police said.

A paramedic in a rapid response car and a crew in an emergency ambulance were sent to the scene and the woman was taken to Llanelli's Prince Philip Hospital.

Police confirmed she has been held under the mental health act and "her condition is not life threatening".

Regarding the other casualty, a spokeswoman for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "One male was removed from the property by police prior to our arrival.

"Firefighters gave the male oxygen therapy and first aid.

"Because of reports of a gas main leak, crews isolated the gas in the property."

Resident, Kirsty-Leigh Rees said: "The road was all blocked off.

"The police told us to stay indoors."

Jay Purkis, who also lives in the area, said: "All I know was that we were told it was a gas leak by a police officer and that was all.

"My house is further up the road so we saw emergency services blocking the road and people in the street."

Chad Welch / chad.welch@swwmedia.co.uk / @chad_welch

Llanelli News / 999 / Fire Service News

HERE'S 5 stories you will definitely want to read in Tuesday's South Wales Evening Post.

1. The mum of a young soldier and father who was tragically crushed in a boat crash has marked 15 years of fundraising in his memory.

2. Average speed cameras have now gone live on a main gateway into the city.

3. Police are again hoping reader-power will result in information on people they want to talk to in connection with a range of offences.

4. A large shop in the centre of Swansea is closing at the end of this week.

5. They've taken on numerous sporting challenges and raised thousands for charity, but now a group of Swansea triathletes are to launch a cheeky calendar.

A VIRUS has been discovered that makes people more stupid.

The algae virus infects human brains and has been discovered by scientists in America.

In people who are otherwise healthy, the virus affects cognitive functions such as spatial awareness and visual processing.

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School and the University of Nebraska found that DNA in the throats of healthy individuals was the same as that of a virus.

Forty of the 90 people who took part in the study tested positive for the algae.

Those 40 performed worse on tests on attention spans and how we process images.

Dr Robert Yolken, a virologist, who led the study, said: "This is a striking example showing that the "innocuous" microorganisms we carry can affect behaviour and cognition.

"Many physiological differences between person A and person B are encoded in the set of genes each inherits from parents, yet some of these differences are fuelled by the various microorganisms we harbour and the way they interact with our genes."

So next time you find yourselves upstairs and can't remember why you went there - you can blame it on the algae in your brain.

A SKETTY church is reminding families that dangerous headstones could be laid flat or even demolished, unless repairs are made.

St Paul's Church on De La Beche Road is warning relatives that the defects need to be fixed, following a health and safety survey.

And although no plans to address any dangerous headstones are imminent, the church wants families to address any headstones which could be of regarded as dangerous.

A list of headstones is attached to the churches noticeboard with the warning:

"If these defects are not put right by those concerned, the Parish reserves the right to take whatever action is necessary to make them safe including laying stones flat, demolishing or removing memorials without further notice."

The church's vicar, Canon Andrew Knight, added: "In Church of Wales terms, people do not buy grave spaces, but they are responsible for maintaining them.

"We try to keep an on-going check on them for health and safety reasons, so we know they are not going to fall.

"Like many churches we have the usual problems of ageing monuments, such as subsidence and failure of joints. We haven't yet had to do anything radical, and don't anticipate doing so, but are just reminding people of their responsibilities."

Wardens at the church, which was built more than 150 years ago, also carried out a health and safety survey a few years ago, and found a number of dangerous monuments including leaning headstones, collapsed centres and loose kerbstones. 

Nino Williams / nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk / @ninominoli

Sketty

FOUR fire crews were called out following a blaze in a Swansea block of flats.
They were called to an oven fire at Clyne Court flats in Sketty Park this afternoon at 3.43pm.
Crews from Swansea West, Swansea Central, Morriston and Gorseinon, were at the scene.
A fire service spokesman said: "We sent four crews because they were high rise flats. "The small fire was confined to the grill pan in the electric oven in the kitchen.
"The cooker was isolated and the property was ventilated through a ventilation fan and we had breathing apparatus in use.
"We were there for half an hour and the fire was confined to one flat."

Liz Perkins / elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk / @lizperkinspost

WALES coach Warren Gatland admitted there was a huge sense of frustration in the home camp following their scrappy 17-13 victory over Fiji at the Millennium Stadium.

Despite Fiji being reduced to 14 men after 53 minutes of an error-strewn contest, Wales were unable to take advantage with Gatland bemoaning the amount of turnovers conceded by his side, plus some of the decisions made by the officials.

"It was disappointing and frustrating. The endeavour was there and we went out after half-time wanting to raise the intensity but though we did that at first we were unlucky not to score.

"I thought it was a good display by the forwards, but we weren't clinical enough behind and we made too many turnovers.

"That allowed them to stay in the game. What was close to being potentially a blow-out for us ended up being a dogfight.

"In fairness to Fiji, they went out there to try to play at a different tempo to slow the game down, and they were effective at doing that.

"But we've got to be excited now and look forward to next week (against New Zealand).

"They have made 14 changes (to face Scotland) and will probably make another 13 changes next week and put their number one side out.

"We are expecting the All Blacks to come fully loaded, and it's going to be tough, but you have got to be excited about playing the best team in the world."

Wales conceded a late interception try to giant centre Nemani Nadolo despite having a four-man overlap, and they were unlucky to see a Taulupe Faletau try disallowed after man of the match Liam Williams was deemed to have infringed during the build-up.

"I thought it was a try," Gatland added.

"He (Fiji player) has made a tackle, but he hasn't finished the tackle off and Liam has got up on his feet with momentum and played on. It was good positive rugby.

"There seemed to be a difference between the referee and TMO (television match official), and the two assistant referees didn't seem to have much of an opinion either. You have just got to put up with those decisions and move on."

Gatland, meanwhile, said he would seek "clarity" from hooker Richard Hibbard after he made a seven-minute substitute's appearance for Gloucester in their Aviva Premiership defeat against Harlequins on Friday night.

Wales ruled Hibbard unfit for selection to face Fiji due to an ankle injury, and he was then released back to Gloucester under International Rugby Board rules after they requested he return.

"It wasn't the permission of us (for Hibbard to play for Gloucester)," said Gatland.

"He was presented to us early in the week with an injury, we put him in a (surgical) boot and he wasn't available for selection.

"Then he was to go back to Gloucester, and it was a surprise to us that on the Wednesday he presents himself to Gloucester being able to be fit to go on the bench.

"I just want to get some clarity on what's going on. Either you are fit to be available or you are not. If he was fit for Wales, he would have been involved.

"Either he is fit, or he is not. I don't see how you can somehow become fit halfway through the week. I suppose sometimes that's pressure that clubs put on, and he was told he would sit on the bench and he would not go on unless there was an injury.

"He went on with eight minutes to go, but I am not sure if that was a tactical replacement or an injury replacement. I need to check on that.

"But the player needs to take some responsibility as well. I don't blame Gloucester, because they are in their own competition and they want to put out a team that is good enough to win.

"Sometimes, the player needs to be stronger, and that is the conversation we will have with him next week."

Fiji coach John McKee also admitted to being frustrated, although it was an encouraging display ahead of his team's next meeting with Wales at the 2015 World Cup.

"We probably didn't impose ourselves as much as we would have liked in the first half," McKee said.

"In the second half, it was a tremendously gutsy performance with 14 players, but we are disappointed at losing. We came here to try to win the game.

"Looking towards next year, there is a lot of improvement to come from this group of players. By Rugby World Cup, we will be stronger."

POLICE are investigating following a fatal accident on a Swansea roundabout.
The collision happened on the A4067 at the Glais roundabout at 12.10pm.
A Silver Ford Focus Zetec was involved in the accident.
In a statement, South Wales Police has called for anyone in the area at the time to come forward with information.
The force said: "South Wales Police are requesting that any person who may have witnessed the collision or the movements of the Ford Focus prior to the collision to contact 101 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number 1400427765.
"In particular police would like to speak to any persons who stopped to assist but who left the scene without supplying their details."

Liz Perkins / elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk / 'lizperkinspost

Sheffield United have released a statement saying that they were "appalled" by threats of rape sent to Olympic medal-winner Jessica Ennis-Hill, in light of her comments on Ched Evans' return to the club for training.

Last week, Jessica Ennis-Hill said that if Evans was re-signed to the club, she would want her name removed from a stand at Sheffield United's home ground. She noted that "being a role model to young people is a huge honour and those in positions of influence in communities should respect the role they play in young people's lives and set a good example" and that to bring him back to the club would "completely contradict" her beliefs.

Sheffield United have now said that they will work with South Yorkshire Police to investigate the tweets directed at heptathlete Jessica, and that any fan caught engaging in abusive practices will be banned for life.

A statement released by the club reads: Sheffield United Football Club is appalled at the recent condemnation and abuse that has been levelled at both some of its more high-profile supporters and those who have no connections to the club but who have voiced their opinion on the matter.

"Regarding the personal tirade against individuals, the club will work with both South Yorkshire Police and any other supportive body to help identify the instigators. This will include abuse through social media messaging and chanting at grounds.

"Anyone who is found to be involved in such practice will be banned for life from Bramall Lane.

"Sheffield United will not accept the abuse that is being received by those who have voiced their opinion. They have felt it necessary and have been courageous enough to have made their statement and this should be respected."

South Yorkshire Police are continuing to investigate the messages.

Argoed locals have launched a campaign for the closure of two hostels in the village, after a 'cannibal' killing at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel.

The hostel, which consists of 15 rooms, operates as a halfway house for prisoners recently released from jail. Matthew Williams was staying at the Sirhowy Arms when he allegedly killed 22-year-old Cerys Yemm in a cannibal attack.

Williams' mother Sally Ann has since said that he suffered with paranoid schizophrenia and regularly took drugs, claiming that he was released from prison with no medication for his mental illness. Owner of the Sirhowy Arms Mandy Miles has meanwhile said that she received no information about Williams' offending history.

A Facebook page called 'Let's shut down all Argoed hostels NOW' has nearly 700 likes in support of its plight to "to take action to stop the council dumping this on our doorstep".

Writing on November 12, the page administrator said: "It seems that the general thought of people outside of the community that this recent tragedy has been the first incident to ever happen as a result of the hostels. 

"I know from my own experience that this is not the case, and from a lot of your comments and messages that you too have been victims."

The group has set up a petition for residents to sign, and a public meeting is being planned.

The Government has announced plans to investigate whether Williams was managed properly after completing his jail term.

Ruth Dawson / ruth.dawson@swwmedia.co.uk / @Ruth_Dawson

FREE parking will be provided to shoppers in Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe town centres in the 11 days leading up to Christmas.

Last year the authority granted limited free parking in short stay car parks only, for one week prior to Christmas, but this year it's decided to extend the offer from Saturday, December 13 up to and including Christmas Eve, in all of the authority's pay and display car parks, as well as the pay on exit car park at Milland Road.

The council is committed to supporting businesses in Neath Port Talbot and wants to encourage shoppers into the towns.

Council leader, Ali Thomas, said: "It is important, especially in difficult trading times, that the Council does all it can to help attract Christmas shoppers to Neath Port Talbot.

"Free parking will improve business for traders and also help shoppers with the cost of their Christmas shopping.

"This practice has been successful in the past and I am sure it will be welcomed by both shoppers and traders again this year."

And it's not the only good news from the town — as it's been revealed that funding to light up the town centre and Windsor Road has now all been collected, thanks to the community and businesses coming together to make sure the festive season shines in the town.

Port Talbot's Christmas tree was lit up last night, while Neath's Christmas light event will take place on December 4. 

Rachel Moses-Lloyd / rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / @racheljanemoses

A SWANSEA Valley boy has waited a long time to be able to enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting on a swing in his local park but now his feet have left the ground.

Although 11-year-old Llywelyn Bowman loved to visit Coed Gwilym Park, in Clydach, he was unable to use the swings because of his disability. The Morriston Comprehensive School pupil had a brain tumour when he was younger, it has been removed but it has left him with severe learning difficulties.

Seeing her son's disappointment Melissa Bowman set about petitioning Swansea Council for a specially adapted swing for children with disabilities.

Now all her hard work has paid off with installation of a new swing.

She said: "I have been fighting for this for 18 months. In fairness to the parks' department they have been great. Once the funding was in place it was okay but they kept saying that they didn't have the money.

"I appreciate that there isn't a bottomless pot of money but something like this makes a huge amount of difference to getting children like my son feel part of the community.

"I would have thought that they would be required to have something like this by law."

Commenting on the difference the swing will make she added: "The look on his face, he couldn't believe it.

"Llywelyn used to go to the park to watch his older brother play football but he was unable to use the swings.

"Now it means that he can go to the park with his friends, at his age he doesn't want me standing behind him pushing the swing."

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "Grant funding meant we were able to install a swing that disabled children can use. This was done at the request of ward members and community councillors for the benefit of the nearby community and visitors to the park. We're delighted that the new swing has been so well-received."

Clydach councillor Gordon Walker praised the mother for fighting her corner.

He said: "I'm over the moon for Melissa and Llywelyn. They have campaigned long and hard for his and now their persistence has paid off.

"Coed Gwilym is a popular park and it is only right that there should be facilities for children of all abilities.

"It was lovely to see Llywelyn so excited to see the new swing."

POLICE have backed the input of the community in fighting crime after a Mount Pleasant resident this week helped to return a stolen moped.

Between 8pm on Tuesday and 10am on Wednesday, a scooter-style motorbike was reported to police as having been stolen from Rhondda Street in Swansea.

But, thanks to the willingness to help police in their investigations of a member of the public in the Mount Pleasant area, the bike was found abandoned on a thoroughfare known as Heathfield, which joins Mount Pleasant. PCSO Patrick Dunbar was able to recover the stolen bike thanks to the resident's tip-off.

He took to Twitter, posting the image of the bike, and said: "Police recover stolen bike. Thanks to vigilant residents Mount Pleasant. South Wales Police, working in partnership."

A spokesman for the force said: "The bike has been recovered and an investigation into the theft is continuing."

PCSO Dunbar said he believes this success reinforces the importance of a good working relationship between police and public.

"I think when it comes to neighbourhood policing, it's all about engagement with the community," he said. "It's more about patrolling, you have to do the talking as well. The community plays a massive part in community policing."

The PCSO also believes that working relationships should go further than just good engagement and links between police and public, but should include work with partnership organisations.

"I think it's like anything, working in partnership with the community, it's about investigation," he said.

"The public play a massive part in that and if the public do not wish to report incidents, things take longer."

PCSO Dunbar intends to resurrect an old policing style of knocking on doors and saying hello to people living in his area.

"It would just be me saying, 'hello, I work in this area and I will be in the neighbourhood and you can speak to me about anything'," he said. Using the bike find as an example, he added: "It's having that positive effect that things are going to be done, which gives members of the public that reassurance.

"Often the most effective ways of policing are the most simple."

Gorseinon's very own rugby hero Leigh Halfpenny has proved to be more than just inspirational on the pitch.

A couple from Minera, Wrexham, have named their daughter in the Wales international player's honour, calling her Leah Haf, although friends add 'Penny' as an unofficial middle name.

Parents Louise Hughes and Anthony Edwards decided to go for a rugby-themed moniker while they were watching the 2012 Six Nations campaign at their local pub.

Friends of the expectant parents put suggestions for the baby's name into a hat - including choices such as Georgia North - and Leah Haf proved to be the most popular.

Having seen every match since she was five years old, little Leah now acts as the pub mascot for every Wales rugby match - even wearing a rugby kit with her name printed on the back.

"Every time Leigh comes on the television in the pub they all start shouting 'Come on Leah'," Mum Louise told a Welsh newspaper.

"Everyone loves Leigh Halfpenny including all the teenage girls. Hopefully when she's a bit older she'll be thrilled about who we named her after."

For now the family are planning to take Leah Haf to her first match at the Millennium Stadium, to nurture the two-year-old's love of the game.

Ruth Dawson / ruth.dawson@swwmedia.co.uk / @Ruth_Dawson

YOU know the old saying...diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Although when it comes to sparklers, there are not many who know more about them than Swansea's Peter Middleton.

The boss of The Diamond Mine at Gold Reserves has now helped one woman's dream of owning a real bit of super-bling come true. For his city company last night offered the chance of a raffle competition winner to create their own bespoke diamond pendant necklace worth more than £3,000.

The opportunity came at a charity ball raising money for Swansea's Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre in the grounds of the city's Singleton Hospital.

Mr Middleton said: "Like most others, close family members and friends have been touched on some level by cancer.

"I have even brushed against it myself a few years back. I will never forget the feelings I had that day sitting in the cancer unit behind Singleton Hospital awaiting a prognosis from the consultant. So it's a pleasure to have been able to support this ball at the Marriott Hotel."

The hotel donated champagne towards the South Wales Evening Post-organised event with guests who bought a glass of it on their entrance into the ball also getting with it their special 'diamond ticket'.

The winner will now go on to create their own diamond pendant necklace over the coming weeks.

Some 170 guests also enjoyed complimentary gift bags on the tables as they arrived and were dazzled by a diamond ice sculpture in the Rhossili bar of the Marriott.

It is the third time the Evening Post has teamed up with the charity for such a fundraiser. Mr Middleton said he was both " proud and privileged" to support the event adding: "This is now a prestigious and well loved ball and, personally, I am very humbled to be able to help such a meaningful and caring charity."

Evening Post editor Jonathan Roberts said the event had proved a huge success, adding: "I have visited Maggie's several times and heard first-hand what a huge difference they have made to people and their families who are undergoing cancer treatment.

"The Evening Post is delighted to again be able to support such a fantastic and worthy cause and one which is now so close to so many people's hearts right across the Swansea Bay area.''

Supermarket chain Asda has recreated the viral Kim Kardashian shoot for Paper magazine, in a bid to promote an in-store champagne offer.

In a mock up of the magazine cover, the Asda model balances a glass on her rear, whilst bubbly champagne shoots over her head to fill it. Referencing the original "Break the internet Kim Kardashian" tagline, the image reads "Don't break the budget Pierre Darcys".

@KimKardashianhttps://t.co/XyyepiXxptpic.twitter.com/hva5sAOqGK

— a b i g a i l (@abbie__richards) November 15, 2014

Full of festive humour, champagne buyer for Asda Ben Mistery said: "If you like big savings and you cannot lie, get yourself to Asda and crack open a bottle of fantastic champagne to celebrate the festive season.

"There's no bum deals on wine at our stores this Christmas so don't miss out and end up the butt of the joke at your Christmas party."

Ruth Dawson / ruth.dawson@swwmedia.co.uk / @Ruth_Dawson

A GIRL was in collision with a car close to a festive attraction following Swansea's Christmas lights switch on.
Traffic was brought to a standstill in the area of the Waterfront Winterland at just before 6.24pm tonight following the accident.
Around eight police cars were reported to be in the area and an ambulance was en route to the scene.
A police spokesman said the police presence was high as they had been involved in patrolling the festive parade.
He made clear that the girl was still alive.
"There is an ongoing incident," he said.
"A lot of the police vehicles were leaving the area because of the parade — it happened right in front of them that's why there were so many there.
"The female is conscious and breathing.
"The paramedic crew is treating her."
He made clear the driver had stopped at the scene.
"It's being treated as a road traffic collision," he added.
An ambulance spokeswoman added that they were alerted to the collision at 6.24pm.
She said: "We have got an ambulance en route after having a call from the police."

Liz Perkins / elizabeth.perkins @swwmedia.co.uk / @lizperkinspost