## Panic Erupts as Knife-Wielding Man Causes Chaos in Swansea City Centre
A dramatic incident unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning in Swansea city centre when a man brandishing a knife sparked scenes of panic among early morning passers-by. Witnesses described seeing individuals fleeing the area as the situation quickly escalated on High Street, prompting concerned locals to alert the police.
The man, later identified as 27-year-old Conner Willis, was spotted just after 3am on 7 July. CCTV footage, later shown in court, captured Willis in the midst of a heated exchange with another man while openly displaying a knife. The court heard that, after brandishing the weapon during the argument, Willis concealed it in his trousers, only for the disturbance to continue as the night wore on.
Not long after the initial confrontation, Willis was seen on camera pursuing a different individual near Matthew Street. Prosecutor Georgia Donoghue told Swansea Crown Court that security footage clearly showed Willis chasing the man down, before he dramatically hurled the knife at his intended target. Fortunately, the knife missed and landed harmlessly on the ground, but the alarming episode did not end there.
Reports soon reached South Wales Police of a man matching Willis’s description behaving aggressively, still armed with the knife, in the Cross Street area of Waun Wen. The involvement of a weapon and erratic behaviour led to heightened anxieties in the community, with residents fearing for their safety in what is usually a quiet early morning period for the city.
After a thorough search extending over nearly two days, police eventually located Willis hiding under a bush on 9 July. At the time of his arrest, Willis refused to cooperate with officers and subsequently declined to participate in a formal interview. Police later revealed that Willis has a long history with the law, having been convicted previously for a range of offences, including assault, battery, and theft-related crimes.
During the hearing, Willis’s defence, Stuart John, told the court that his client was frank about the circumstances that had led him into such destructive behaviour. John revealed to the court Willis’s ongoing struggle with severe substance addiction, noting that heroin withdrawal symptoms were likely a contributing factor for his non-compliance during the police investigation. This aspect of the case raises wider questions about addiction and support services for repeat offenders.
When passing sentence, Judge Paul Thomas acknowledged the seriousness of the latest incident on top of Willis’s mounting criminal record. He commented, “You were seen in the middle of Swansea with a knife chasing a man with it before throwing it at him.” Judge Thomas highlighted that Willis himself had accepted custody was the only viable option, and the Judge agreed.
“This matter is aggravated by your previous convictions,” the Judge remarked, noting that at times when Willis had managed to avoid Class A drugs, his offending had lessened. Ultimately, Willis, who does not currently have a fixed address, was sentenced to 14 months in prison. He will serve at least half of this term in custody before becoming eligible for release on licence.
Incidents such as this serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by city centre communities where the consequences of substance misuse, mental health issues, and violent behaviour regularly intersect. The swift apprehension of Willis offers some reassurance; however, there remain broader questions regarding support for those with addiction problems and safeguarding measures for the community at large.
The incident has prompted renewed discussion among local leaders about the need for effective intervention strategies, aiming not only to deter such violent outbursts but also to tackle the root causes behind them. For now, residents and businesses around Swansea’s High Street are left to recover from the shock, while authorities look to reassure them of their commitment to keeping the city safe.