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Rugby award caps it all off for players

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IT has been a long time coming but former rugby players from Llanelli and Neath were among 12 men to be recognised for their international appearances for Wales.

They were awarded President's Caps at a special presentation before Wales's clash with Fiji on Saturday.

The Welsh Rugby Union came up with the idea of the caps for players who had represented Wales in matches that were not recognised to be full internationals at the time.

The caps awarded on Saturday went to players who featured against Canada and USA on tour in 1980 and against Canada at home in 1971.

The matches were all played against opposition who were awarded caps by their respective unions.

They went to Norman Rees, Martin Davies, Barrie Davies (Neath), Alan Tovey (Ebbw Vale) and Robin Williams (Cardiff and Pontypool) who played in the 1971 clash at the Cardiff Arms Park. Also honoured were Chris Webber, David Thomas (Cardiff), Mike Dowling (Newbridge) and Steve Ellis (now Penry-Ellis, Bridgend) who all featured in a Wales's 24-18 defeat of the USA on tour in 1980.

Geraint Bowen (Llanelli), Steven Jones and Gareth Jones (Pontypool) were the three players from the 24-7 victory over Canada on May 24, which was part of the same overseas tour.

Rugby award caps it all off for players


Investigation continues after girl injured in collision outside Waterfront Winterland

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A GIRL was in collision with a car outside Swansea's Waterfront Winterland shortly after the city's Christmas lights switch on last night.

Thousands of people had flocked into the city centre to watch the annual parade and many of these were making their way to the rides at Museum Green when the incident happened.

Police and paramedics were quickly on the scene.

The main dual carriageway was closed for a short period.

Police said the girl's injuries were not thought to be too severe as she was conscious,

Eye witnesses said around eight police cars responded as there was a large police presence due to the parade.

A spokesman for South Wales Police 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 was conscious and breathing. The paramedic crew treated her." He made clear the driver had stopped at the scene. "It's being treated as a road traffic collision," he added.

One witness said: "There were paramedics, with a gurney, attending to the girl while people looked on. I think her family were also by her side. It was right in front of the entrance to Winterland, which was really packed."

Investigation continues after girl injured in collision outside Waterfront Winterland

Police trying to identify body found on Aberavon beach

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POLICE are continuing to investigate after a body of a woman was found on a Port Talbot beach over the weekend.
No formal identification has taken place following the grim discovery, which was made by a member of the public on Saturday in Aberavon just before 1pm.
A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: "Officers are making enquiries to establish the identity of the woman and the circumstances leading to her death. "No other information is available at this time."
She added yesterday that no formal identification had been carried out and that there was "no new update."
Meanwhile, the search is ongoing for Christine Humphrey, aged 54, who left her home on Western Avenue, Sandfields, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Her husband Desmond and children Charlotte, aged 24 and Carwyn, aged 22, have appealed for her to return to them.
Miss Humphrey, in a message to her mum, said: "We just want to say that we all love you so much.
"We're all really worried, all of your friends and family.
"You can come home any time, don't be scared, everything is going to be ok, we just want to know if you are safe.
"We love you so much."
Miss Humphrey described her mum as a "proper housewife", who was "great at cleaning and cooking."

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

Police trying to identify body found on Aberavon beach

Warren Gatland tells Wales stars they have blown chance of facing New Zealand

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WARREN Gatland has hinted that some Wales players have blown their chances of facing New Zealand after the debacle against Fiji.

The performance against the 14-man islanders was one of the worst of Gatland's reign, with Wales great Barry John saying that as a dress rehearsal for a game against the world champions, it was "bordering on a rugby disaster".

He continued: "It was disappointing, diabolical at times and Warren Gatland faces a massive task in turning this around ahead of next Saturday's confrontation with the All Blacks."

Gatland will today assess the fitness of Dan Biggar (groin), Rhys Webb (neck) and Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) before starting the week's preparations for the game with Kiwis.

But some players have played themselves out of contention after the 17-13 win over a Fiji team that had prop Campese Ma'afu sent off for two yellow-card offences.

Gatland said: "There was a big opportunity for a number of players in terms of stepping up ahead of next week.

"If you look at territory, possession, gain-line, speed of ball...we just messed up too many turnovers."

Also near the top of the coach's to-do list today will be the question of what to do about Richard Hibbard.

Gatland will seek an explanation from the hooker as to how he ended up figuring on the bench for Gloucester last Friday, just days after hurting a foot against Australia.

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

"I don't see how you can somehow become fit halfway through the week, but that's pressure clubs sometimes put on players.

"He's come under a bit of pressure from Gloucester but I don't blame Gloucester at all because they are playing in their own competition.

"They want to put out a team that is good enough to win and sometimes a player needs to be stronger.

"That's a conversation we'll have with him."

Mark Orders / mark.orders@swwmedia.co.uk@MarkOrders1

Wales rugby  Warren Gatland

Warren Gatland tells Wales stars they have blown chance of facing New Zealand

Tributes to pensioner Ken Jones who died in Swansea roundabout crash

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A PENSIONER died behind the wheel of his car following a collision on a Swansea roundabout at the weekend.

The victim of the accident on the A4067 at the Glais roundabout has been named locally as Ken Jones.

Police are investigating the incident, which happened on Saturday afternoon at 12.10pm.

The road was closed for several hours following the single vehicle incident.

Mr Jones, of Pen y Dre in Clydach, is understood to have been recently undergone surgery.

One man who knows the family said: "Ken has not long come out of hospital and had a procedure on his heart. He was very well liked and was a genuine, nice guy — it's very sad."

Meanwhile, a number of people were moved to write about the accident on the Evening Post's Facebook page.

Tracy Marie Roberts said: "A horrible tragedy for a beautiful family."

Karla Macey added: "Horrible news, absolutely devastating. Life is so cruel. Thoughts with friends and family at this time."

Caroline Gilley Thomas said: "Thoughts go out to the family and friends"

Officers are looking into the collision involving a silver Ford Focus Zetec.

In a statement, South Wales Police has called for anyone in the area at the time to come forward with information to help them with their investigation of the accident.

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 the force.

"In particular police would like to speak to any persons who stopped to assist but who left the scene without supplying their details."

Phone South Wales Police on the 101 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number 1400427765.

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

Tributes to pensioner Ken Jones who died in Swansea roundabout crash

Mixed reviews to Swanseawood sign

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COULD this be the sign of the times for Swansea Bay?

Now the region has its own film studios in the former Visteon plant on Fabian Way one industry insider posted a mock-up on the internet of what a Swansea sign equivalent to the one in Hollywood would like on Kilvey Hill.

It has been widely shared and this weekend the Evening Post ran a poll on our website asking readers what they thought.

But the majority of the almost 300 people who voted have the idea the thumbs down.

Production designer Ed Thomas tweeted the image, which he first came up with four years ago to show tinseltown "anything it could do we could do better".

Although, he has had to rule out actually building the sign in Swansea on copyright grounds.

Post reader Marc Wilson said: "I've been secretly planning to do this on Kilvey Hill for a good few years now.

"It would make a great art project for someone in uni."

Daniel Jay McNeill said if it was possible to put up the letters of Swansea then the Welsh roots of the area should not be forgotten.

He added: "But if it does then on the other side it should have Abertawe."

Brenda George added: "The Hollywood sign is gaudy, let's not follow that. Have an area at the museum dedicated to it's film history, old and new. Tasteful and proud."

Mr Thomas said the sign idea was "totally tongue in cheek" and said it was designed to showcase what the area had to offer.

Blockbuster show Da Vinci's Demons is based at Bay Studios, which has brought in the scriptwriter behind the Batman trilogy David S. Goyer and X Files and Breaking Bad writer John Shiban.

And Hollywood actor Elijah Wood, of Lord of the Rings fame, spent 18 days in the city filming the Dylan Thomas movie Set Fire to the Stars, which was recently released in cinemas.

Mr Thomas said: "I came up with the sign about four years ago when we were trying to encourage the Americans over. "My initial idea was to fundraise and sell the letters to the Wave and the Swans and do it for charity in the short term and putting something on the map.

"It was a way of saying anything you can do we can do better because of the fact that we are producing high quality TV already.

We have Pinewood coming to Cardiff and we are doing our stuff in Port Talbot. People have been tweeting about the sign."

Mr Thomas said they had press from Russia, Australia and Poland visit the set of Da Vinci's Demons underlining the mass appeal of the show.

<a href="http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/lizperkins">Liz Perkins</a> / <a href="mailto:elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk"> elizabeth.perkins @swwmedia.co.uk</a>  / <a href="https://twitter.com/lizperkinspost">@lizperkinspost</a>

Mixed reviews to Swanseawood sign

Transfer talk: Xherdan Shaqiri attracts interest from Liverpool and Tottenham and Khedira blow for Arsenal - today's gossip from the nationals

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HERE'S today's Premier League gossip and transfer news from the nationals:

EVERTON boss Bill Kenwright has opened the door for Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney to make a return to Everton any time he wants, the Daily Mail has reported.

MANCHESTER United keeper David de Gea has denied that Victor Valdes is training with the squad because manager Louis van Gaal would prefer him as first choice between the posts, The Guardian has reported.

LIVERPOOL and Tottenham are both interested in making a move for Bayern Munich's Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri in the January transfer window, The Telegraph has reported.

ARSENAL hopes of signing Sami Khedira have been dealt a blow as it seems the player may now have to stay at Real Madrid following an injury to Luka Modric, reports the Daily Express.

NEWCASTLE could lose Rolando Aarons to Liverpool, Metro has reported. The player's impressive start to the season has attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Premier League

Transfer talk: Xherdan Shaqiri attracts interest from Liverpool and Tottenham and Khedira blow for Arsenal - today's gossip from the nationals

Dumped girlfriend torched her own flat to kill herself - then thought better of it, but left neighbour to be burned alive

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A LOVE-STRUCK woman who torched her flat in a bid to kill herself after being dumped by her boyfriend has been jailed for 20 months.

Jane Banks, aged 21, quickly thought better of what she had done as fire ripped through her ground floor flat in Middleton Street, Neath, on September 8.

She ran outside to safety leaving neighbour Steven Lynch, who lived in the flat above, at risk of being burned alive.

When an anxious passer-by saw him at an upstairs window he burst into the blazing flat, unaware it was separate from the one above.

Mr Lynch escaped his flat unaided and the passer-by emerged from the building unharmed. But both men and Banks herself were treated for smoke inhalation in hospital.

The blaze caused £5,000 of damage to the Gwalia Housing Association property, Swansea Crown Court heard.

Banks admitted a single charge of arson being reckless as to the life of others.

She acted after splitting with boyfriend Steven Davies who encouraged her to take her own life in texts sent to her after they argued.

Brian Simpson, prosecuting, said that Banks was arrested outside her flat when police arrived on the scene, adding: "The defendant was interviewed and she said that she had had a falling out with her boyfriend and decided to kill herself.

"She said that she used a lighter to set fire to a quilt on the living room floor. She said that she did not know that there was anyone upstairs, but that she was not thinking of anyone else."

Ian Ibrahim, defending, said Banks had has a disturbed childhood, been fostered several times and was allegedly mistreated by her boyfriend.

He said it had never been her intention to hurt anyone else, and she had alerted her own sister to what she had done by phone before quitting the flat.

Her boyfriend "knew full well her fragile nature and vulnerability" and sent texts to her after the argument saying: "No one likes you, you may as well end your life", he said.

"She is completely remorseful for what she has done.

"It was spontaneous, there was no intent, and fortunately no one was hurt," he said.

Banks sobbed as judge Paul Thomas told her she had to be jailed because she posed a "high risk of harm to the public".

But he allowed Banks, who appeared from Eastwood Park Prison, in Bristol, via video link, to make a public apology to the court.

"I am sorry for everything I have done, it will not happen again.

"I love my family so much," she said.

Judge Thomas added: "You set your ground-floor flat on fire with a lighter, no doubt intent on harming yourself.

"But in the flat above there was a Mr Lynch who was in that night and who only got out because he heard people shouting to him."

He said he accepted her remorse was genuine but warned that when she is eventually released on licence it would be "under very stringent conditions."

Neath

Dumped girlfriend torched her own flat to kill herself - then thought better of it, but left neighbour to be burned alive


CCTV: Police appeal over arson attack

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POLICE investigating an arson attack at a business in Swansea are appealing for the public's help to identify a man in connection with the incident.

A blaze broke out at SA1 Pallets on Langdon Road during the evening of October 18, and officers say an accelerant was used to start the fire.

The fire damaged wooden pallets and the building.

As part of their investigation police are appealing for information on a man caught on CCTV at a filling station on Fabian Way at around 10pm on the night of the blaze. It is thought he bought £2 of petrol in a petrol can before leaving the garage on foot.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Anyone who recognises the man in the picture is asked to call police."

Can you help? Call South Wales Police in Swansea on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number 1400392313

Jason Evansjason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk / @EvansTheCrime

CCTV: Police appeal over arson attack

Charity night in aid of Skewen man Ricky Mason

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A CHARITY night in aid of a man who suffered a brain haemorrhage in September, will take place this weekend.

SkewenRugby Club will host the evening, in aid of Ricky Mason, who is currently in recovery.

The event starts at 6.30pm on Saturday, with a live band, DJ and comedian, and plenty of raffle prizes.

Tickets are £5 and available from Laura on 07817981856.

Rachel Moses-Lloyd / rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / <a href="https://twitter.com/racheljanemoses">@racheljanemoses</a>

Work begins to repair Neath iconic landmark, St David's Church Tower

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WORK to repair one of Neath's iconic landmarks has started, more than a year after the launch of a £500,000 appeal.

Eighteen months ago, St David's Church launched a bid to raise the funding needed to repair its tower, which stands over Neath town centre.

Funds for the Tower Appeal began with a special concert by mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins, a former choir girl at the church, and the money has mounted steadily.

The Tower is now fully encased in scaffolding as the delicate and specialised job of repairing and restoring the Victorian building begins.

To date around £33,000 has been raised by the public, boosting the grant assistance received from bodies including The National Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw, and not-for profit organisation WREN.

"To face a £500,000 repair bill is a daunting prospect indeed but the people of Neath have pulled out all the stops to make sure the Tower will stand guard over the town for decades to come," said Canon Stephen Ryan, Rector of Neath.

"A huge amount of time and effort has gone into raising the money — and is still continuing — and we can't thank enough the individuals and organisations who have contributed to the Appeal."

Work is already underway to the roof above the choir stalls, and the whole project is expected to be completed by Spring, when there will be celebratory events including a dinner.

Rachel Moses-Lloyd/ rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / <a href="https://twitter.com/racheljanemoses">@racheljanemoses</a>

Work begins to repair Neath iconic landmark, St David's Church Tower

'How many lost sight while on waiting list?'

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A HEALTH board is to be asked to reveal how many people have lost their eyesight while on hospital waiting lists.

AM Suzy Davies is seeking answers from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, following a report from the RNIB Cymru which claims people are going blind every week because of delayed or cancelled appointments.

The report suggests specialists are not allowed to use their clinical judgement about when patients need to be treated and instead were locked into the conveyor belt of seeing every new patient who was presented within a specified time.

Suzy Davies said: "Sight loss is life-changing, whatever your age, but it would appear ophthalmology services within Wales are unable to cope and are breaking down.

"The problems seems to be mainly concerned with follow-up appointments for treatment as most resources are concentrated on seeing new patients in order to meet waiting time targets.

"People are then left languishing, sometimes for two years, on a waiting list for treatment and 48 people a year are losing their sight while waiting in this way."

"We must allow clinicians to manage their waiting lists and to prioritise those with the most urgent need.

Mrs Davies said she was asking ABMU Health Board for any figures they may have on the number of patients they have who have lost their sight whilst waiting for treatment.

She added: "I would like to know if ABMU records this information. Otherwise, how can the board account to the people in my region for the decisions it has made about how its prioritises appointments?"

Despite the concerns raised in the RNIB report, Welsh Government figures revealed last week show the number of people with visual impairment in Wales has fallen over the past five years.

Data from Moorfields Eye Hospital, which collates information about certification of visual impairment for Wales and England, shows the number of people certified as having visual impairment has fallen over the past five years from 1,737 in 2008/09, to 1,362 in 2012/13.

A Welsh Government spokesman said the RNIB reprot was months old, and did not reflect the current position of services in Wales, as well as being based on a very small survey sample.

He added: "The latest figures show the number of people certified as having a visual impairment in Wales has fallen every year for the last five years.

"We were the first country in the world to have an eye care delivery plan, launched in September 2013, which sets out our ambitions to improve services over the next five years.

A spokesman for ABMU Health Board said it was waiting to hear from Mrs Davies and would consider her request in due course.

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

Health

'How many lost sight while on waiting list?'

​How typical a Swansea City fan are you? Survey says you should drive a Nissan, like playing Scrabble, eating cawl and watching Total Recall

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IF you're a Swansea City fan, you probably like cawl, own a dog or a bird, and like playing Scrabble.

That's if you're a typical one, according to a survey by YouGov.

You also love rugby Union, have an interest in personal finance and you're a bit of a daydreamer.

Here's the sciency bit....

The information has come from YouGov Profiles which is described as a "segmentation and media planning product for agencies and brands".

The long and short of it though is that, thanks to the organisation's data vault, which holds more than 120,000 bits of information collected from more than 200,000 UK YouGov members, you can find out fun things like - what makes a typical Swans fan.

Here's a few of the indicators for your typical Jack:

Sex: Male.

Age: 60+.

Typical Profession: mining and quarrying, followed by agriculture and farming.

Money spare each month: £125.

Fave food: Cawl, followed by ham and eggs.

Fave hobby: Watching sports, followed by Scrabble.

Fave sports (after football): Rugby union and boxing.

General interests: Personal finance, then business and finance.

Niche interests: Wales in the rugby, and the Ospreys.

Most likely pet: A dog, then a bird.

Describe themselves: Imaginative, or steady.

But on occasion: Daydreamer, or confronational.

Customer of: Swalec.

Shops at: Tesco.

Wears: Cotton Traders

Banks at: Natwest.

Drives: Nissan.

Favourite films: On The Waterfront, Total Recall and The Incredibles.

Favourite TV: Hinterland, Cracker and Jeff Randall Live.

Favourite music: Manic Street Preachers, The Stylistics and Jim Reeves.

Favourite celebrities Huw Edwards, Alex Jones and John Motson.

Most visited websites: Wales.nhs.co.uk and your's truly - southwales-eveningpost.co.uk.

Most likely to follow on Twitter: @JimCarrey, @SkySports and @WilliamShatner.

Fave Facebook pages: Swansea City Football Club, Wales, The Welsh Rugby Union.

Fave apps: The Weather Channel, TV Guide, Amazon.

Time online: Less than one hour per week.

Fave magazine: National Geographic

Time watching tv: 16-20 hours a week.

Most regular tv shows: Homes Under the Hammer, Match of the Day, BBC News.

The site also includes facts for other Premier League clubs, including Arsenal fans who still follow Robin van Persie on Twitter and love Jeff Sterling; Manchester United fans who describe themselves as dedicated, but occasionally fussy; and Liverpool fans who think of themselves as funny, but occasionally stubborn.

Click here to find out more.

​How typical a Swansea City fan are you? Survey says you should drive a Nissan, like playing Scrabble, eating cawl and watching Total Recall

Drunk man had 3ft samurai sword outside a pub 'to persuade' people to return his jacket

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A MAN was seen walking down the street towards a pub with his trousers around his ankles and waving a samurai sword in the air, a court has heard.

A "heavily intoxicated" James Vickers was spotted in the early hours of the morning in Loughor.

Swansea Crown Court was told he was planning to use the weapon as a way of threatening a group of men who had taken his treasured bikers jacket.

Vickers, of Borough Road, Loughor, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in public. A second charge he was facing of being drunk and disorderly was dropped.

Brian Simpson, prosecuting, told the court that 25-year-old Vickers was seen by a taxi driver outside the Globe pub on Glebe Road at around 2am on September 14 "waving the sword around" and with his trousers around his ankles.

He said the sword was around 3ft long, and the blade had been sharpened.

Someone then came out of the pub and took the sword off him, giving the weapon to the taxi driver and asking him to take it the nearest police station.

Police arrived a short time later and arrested Vickers, and he told officers he wanted his jacket back — a sleeveless denim jacket known as a "cut" — which a group a men, whom he refused to name, had previously taken from him.

Stuart John, in mitigation, said the "cut" was an important part of Vickers' identity, and though he was going to use the sword to threaten the people who had taken it, his client was adamant he would not have used it as a weapon.

Recorder Ian Murphy QC said he was satisfied on the basis of everything he had heard and the character references he had read that Vickers was a "thoroughly decent young man".

The judge said Vickers was a biker with a "legitimate interest" in weapons and hunting, and that he was satisfied the defendant had had the weapon in his possession for the purposes of "persuasion" only.

Vickers was given a four month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, and was fined £500 and told to pay a £80 victim surcharge.

Jason Evansjason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk / @EvansTheCrime

Drunk man had 3ft samurai sword outside a pub 'to persuade' people to return his jacket

​VIDEO: Cyclist's eye view of what it's like to ride Swansea's new boulevard

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MOST of us have already driven it.

But a cyclist has decided to share the experience of riding it.

Complete with camera attached to his bike, James Dewitt rode the length of Swansea's new boulevard.

And while the film may not be a match for other road movies - the humour of Convoy for example, or perhaps the free love of Easy Rider, or maybe the famous ending of Thelma and Louise, the footage does give a good indication of what the revamped route looks like when you're not whizzing by in a car.

The boulevard project began in March 2013 and includes upgrades to Princess Way, Quay Parade and Victoria Road.

Its aim has been to create better links between the city centre and the waterfront thanks to crossings installed at 'key points'.

The Welsh Government's Regeneration Area programme, the European Regional Development Fund and Swansea Council all funded the project, which will also include some new arts works in time.

Paul Turner / paul.turner@swwmedia.co.uk@readmybook

Traffic and travel

​VIDEO: Cyclist’s eye view of what it’s like to ride Swansea’s new boulevard


Inquest hears how transplant patients were given kidneys rejected 'unfit' by other hospitals

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Two fathers died after receiving kidneys which had been rejected as "unfit" by other hospitals an inquest heard today.

Cardiff Coroner's Court heard that doctors knew the alcoholic donor of the kidneys had died from meningitis.

Father-of-six Darren Hughes, 42, and new grandfather Robert "Jim" Stuart, 67, died within days of being given kidney transplants unknowingly infected with a parasitic worm which had killed their donor.

Darren's father Ian Hughes told the inquest he had to sign the transplant consent form for his disabled son.

Mr Hughes said: "Darren was not told he would be receiving an infected kidney. I now feel that I signed his death warrant."

He said the family were under the impression that the donor was a young man who had been killed in a car crash earlier that day.

Mr Hughes said: "After he died we were told that the donor lived rough, was alcoholic, had cirrhosis of the liver and that they didn't know the cause of the meningitis that killed him.

"We find it difficult why the hospital in Cardiff used these kidneys. They had been rejected from all other hospitals - all his other organs were considered unfit for transplant."

Judith Stuart, the wife of Robert, said the couple had just returned from a cruise - and were looking forward to the birth of their second grandchild after his transplant.

She said: "We weren't told anything whatsoever about the donor or his lifestyle. I walked down with Jim and said goodbye at the theatre doors."

The inquest heard no post mortem had been carried out on the donor following his unusual death before his organs were offered for transplant.

The organs of the homeless donor had been rejected by every hospital they had been offered to before they were accepted by the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff.

The kidneys had been described in documents as "poor function".

The families of both men said they had been happy to stay on dialysis "for the rest of their lives" if a suitable kidney never came forward.

They said they would not have given consent for the transplant if they had been told about the background of the donor and the unknown circumstances of his death.

Mr Hughes and Mr Stuart were both on the donor waiting list and were telephoned in the early hours of November 30 last year and told they had found a "good match" and would receive a transplant.

They both died within days of undergoing their kidney transplants from the same parasitic worm that had infected the donor.

Doctors were not aware the donor had the worm - known as Halicephalobus which lives in soil and is found in horses - when the transplant operations were carried out.

The parasite lays eggs in the liver and kidneys and then travels to the brain.

Mr Stuart and Mr Hughes began to "deteriorate rapidly" after their surgery and died less than three weeks later.

The two men are part of only five cases ever recorded across the world - all of which have proved fatal.

Both families said they only found out about the background of the donor during a meeting with doctors after the deaths of their loved ones.

A representative for the University of Wales Hospital suggested that the surgeon had told them prior to the transplant that the donor had died of a brain infection which was low risk.

Mr Hughes said: "No, that is not true, that is false."

The inquest continues.

Inquest hears how transplant patients were given kidneys rejected 'unfit' by other hospitals

Investigation after woman stabbed in neck by jealous ex but police fail to attend her address after she calls for help

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FIVE police officers are being investigated for allegedly failing to attend the address of a woman who called for help just before she was stabbed in the neck by her jealous ex-boyfriend.

Terrified Christine Evans, 24, called police to say former boyfriend Martin Bowen was sending her threatening text messages.

Bowen, 24, then burst into her home, grabbed a kitchen knife and plunged it into Christine's neck and chest.

Christine was left scarred for life and has been left having flashbacks of the attack at her home in Newport.

Bowen was in breach of a harassment order by texting Christine, his lover of nine years.

But "frightened" Christine's calls to Gwent Police did not result in police attending at that time and officers only turned up after she was found in a pool of blood.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the actions of a sergeant, four constables and two police call centre staff.

A spokesman said: "The woman was stabbed several times by her ex-partner within hours of her notifying the force that he was texting her, in breach of a harassment warning.

"Investigators are examining why police did not attend the woman's address.

"They are also looking at actions taken by police in response to previous incidents between the two, dating back two years.

"Specifically, the investigation is considering how these incidents were risk assessed, resourced, progressed and linked."

Jealous Bowen was jailed for eight years at Newport Crown Court last month after admitting wounding with intent.

IPCC Commissioner for Wales, Jan Williams, said: "This has been a traumatic time for the woman and her family and my thoughts are with them.

"Our investigation is looking at how Gwent Police dealt with a number of related incidents involving the couple, beginning in 2012, and their response on the day of the stabbing.

"In view of previous IPCC recommendations to the force from earlier investigations, we will also be examining more closely what action has been taken to improve Gwent Police's response to, and handling of, domestic abuse cases." 

Investigation after woman stabbed in neck by jealous ex but police fail to attend her address after she calls for help

Swansea named cooked breakfast capital of the UK

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SWANSEA is the cooked breakfast capital of the UK, new research has revealed, with one in 10 of us tucking in to the grub on a daily basis.

Pipping Aberdeen and Leeds to the title, Swansea has come out top in a survey of 2,000 people plated up by Hilton Garden Inn hotels.

In fact, the survey even shows a cooked breakfast is the most popular "treat meal" across the UK, preferred more than traditional favourites like, Sunday roast, curry, and fish & chips.

The Post asked cafe and restaurant owners in the Swansea area why the city has such good breakfasts.

Home of The Mega Beast — a gastronomic giant — is the Uplands Diner.

This monster breakfast includes 10 rashers of bacon, five eggs, eight sausages, chips, two hash browns, bubble and squeak, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, two black pudding, four slices of toast, four slices of bread and butter, four slices of fried bread and one burger.

But, as Uplands Diner manager Lance Pardoe says, variety and flexibility is key when making a satisfying breakfast.

"It's very good news and it puts Swansea on the map yet again," he said, on the city's top spot.

Uplands Diner is not unfamiliar with acclaim having previously won the Britain's Great Breakfast and Britain's Best Builders' Breakfast awards.

"We cater for the person that is a light eater or someone that likes a big meal," Mr Pardoe added, alluding to the popularity of a variety of egg-based dishes served on muffins, and the Uplands Diner's breakfast rolls.

"You have to be doing breakfast all day too, as you will find people asking for breakfast at 7pm.

"It's making sure you are giving people the variety to change things as well — we have no limitations."

Anthony DiFrancesco, manager of Cafe Remo's in Aberavon, said: "It's always the fresh ingredients.

"Good bacon, good sausage, free range eggs, and it's got to be a branded bean, and with hand-cut toast with Welsh salty butter, it's going to be a treat.

"With Remo's we give our beautiful coffee free with every breakfast."

Dominic Rabaiotti, manager of Espresso Bar, on Swansea's High Street, said: "It's true, we've been serving ours for about 60 years, and it's one of our mainstays here.

"The perfect cooked breakfast has to be cooked nicely and presented well, but you have to get away from the stereotype of the greasy spoon.

"It is satisfying, it starts people off for the day, and you do what people ask for."

And Liz Roderick, owner and manager of The Granary Cafe, Scurlage, said: "A lot of our food is sourced locally and we try to use local businesses.

"As well as an all day breakfast, we also do a Welsh breakfast with cockles and laverbread." 

Mark Nogal, the regional head of Hilton Worldwide, which put together the statistics, said, "At Hilton Garden Inn, our signature cooked-to-order breakfast, which includes our freshly-made waffles, has always been a favourite for our guests so it's great to see that its place as a British staple looks like it is here to stay."

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

Eating OutSwansea NewsChad Welch

Swansea named cooked breakfast capital of the UK

Prison for jogger after 'grotesquely sick' acts against 14-year-old girl

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A JOGGER who exposed himself to a schoolgirl he conned into going running with him has been jailed for four years.

Liam Mann, aged 24, convinced his 14-year-old victim and her mother that he was serious about keeping fit.

But the frantic teenager was forced to flee when Mann, who was kitted out in jogging gear, exposed himself to her while out in the countryside.

The former Amman Valley Comprehensive schoolboy continued to bare himself for up to 15 minutes, jogging close to the girl and encouraging her to touch him.

Judge Paul Thomas QC described Mann's behaviour as "grotesquely sick" as he jailed him at Swansea Crown Court.

He said that he regarded earlier uneventful runs with the girl, who cannot be named, as evidence of grooming.

Brian Simpson, prosecuting, said Mann called at the girl's home in Ammanford, in September, for the latest pre-arranged rural run.

After he exposed himself his distraught victim gradually managed to escape by "effectively running away from him".

But she arrived home too upset to explain what had happened until Mann turned up a few minutes later, the court heard.

She was then able to speak lucidly enough to her mother for her to call in the police who immediately began hunting for him.

Mann, a self-employed jet wash patio cleaner, of St Clears, near Carmarthen, handed himself in to the police and admitted what he had done.

He later made more serious admissions concerning unrelated sexual abuse of a younger child to whom he had access over a period of time.

He was sentenced after admitting one count of causing or initiating a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted a single count of sexual assault on a minor. He was formally found not guilty of another identical charge.

Judge Thomas said: "You asked her to go with you running, which she did, no doubt believing she was safe to do so.

"She put her trust in you, as did her family.

"It was not the first time you took her out for a run, in my view there was an element of grooming here, or at least planning."

Passing sentence he said Mann would also be put on the sex offenders register indefinitely and would be made the subject of an indefinite sex offenders prevention order.

Ammanford

Prison  for jogger after 'grotesquely sick' acts against 14-year-old girl

Swansea professor-turned-supply teacher hits out at £70 per day pay levels

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A PROFESSOR who signed up as a supply teacher with an agency has hit out at levels of pay, claiming they were "disastrous" for younger colleagues.

Roger Hacker said he was offered £70 to £80 per day for primary and secondary school work in Swansea, with a one per cent employer's pension contribution on top.

Dr Hacker said he had turned to the New Directions Education agency after receiving no offers of work for three years while registered as a supply teacher with Swansea Council, which he said offered better pay and a 14.1 per cent pension contribution.

He said he felt teachers were being exploited.

"For beginning teachers, many of whom gain their first employment through these supply agencies, this is disastrous," said Dr Hacker, of Llanmadoc, Gower.

He claimed the lower pay rates were not far off those of supermarket checkout workers, although he did not want to denigrate shop work.

Teachers' union NUT Cymru said the supply teacher issue was damaging classroom morale.

Dr Hacker, 69, spent much of his career abroad, taking up a post as professor of education in Canada before moving to Australia. Returning to Swansea, he realised he was 85 days' short of the service required to qualify for a teachers' pension, and so signed onto the council register.

He said: "The council told me to phone every Friday to see if I was available the next week — this went on for a couple of years."

Dr Hacker said he was advised earlier this year to register with an agency.

He said: "Immediately I was inundated with offers."

He taught at around 12 schools and said he thoroughly enjoyed the work. But he called it day after finding out the agency operated its own pension rather than contributing to the more generous teachers' scheme.

A council spokesman said it had a register of supply teachers and that schools were advised to use this register before referring to agencies.

He added: "However, it is up to schools to decide whether to access the council's register or seek supply teachers from agencies."

Owen Hathway, NUT policy officer, said agency supply teachers received "greatly reduced" pay and conditions.

He added: "It is having a real impact on morale in classrooms across Wales and it is time something was done to address it.

"For most teachers working with supply agencies it is the only way they can access work. In some areas of Wales councils have strict guidance that forces schools to use agencies and in some cases specific supply agencies.

"We find this is a particular issue for teachers who are in their first year of teaching, who often struggle to get work and end up being held over a barrel."

New Directions Education was appointed as the preferred supplier of teaching staff across Wales in 2012, following a Welsh Government report about smarter spending in tough economic times.

Regional manager Howard Burge said: "We recognise that school budgets are more restrictive, and schools are reflecting hard on what they can afford to spend on supply.

"As a business we will always aim to secure as much for the candidate as possible. We also recognise that supply staff don't often have the same opportunities as full-time staff — so we aim to provide extra value. We offer all of our candidates training, which is accredited. 

"We also ensure that all staff that work via New Directions have access to our travel and subsistence scheme, which allows them to add a little extra to their pay each week."

Swansea professor-turned-supply teacher hits out at £70 per day pay levels

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