**Swansea Father Fatally Stabbed in Broad Daylight: Two Men Convicted After Drug-Fuelled Night**
Tragedy unfolded on the streets of Swansea last September when Joshua Norman, a father, lost his life in a violent incident involving two men wielding a broken cider bottle. The harrowing events played out in the wake of a night spent consuming alcohol and drugs, leaving a community shaken and a family searching for answers.
After a detailed two-week hearing at Swansea Crown Court, the jury delivered its verdicts on the deaths that had brought sorrow to the city. Paul Rosser, aged 49, was found guilty of murdering Mr Norman, while his nephew, 32-year-old Joshua Cullen, was convicted of manslaughter. Both men are now awaiting sentencing for their roles in the killing, which was described in court as a tragic culmination of a chaotic drug-fuelled episode.
The court heard that, in the hours leading up to the incident on 11 September 2024, Rosser, Norman, and others congregated at Mr Norman’s flat on Matthew Street. Over the course of the evening, the gathering involved substantial consumption of crack cocaine and alcohol. As the effect of the substances took hold, tensions simmered beneath the surface. The following morning, Rosser and Norman ventured out, initially to a shop for alcohol, then to the Griffith John Street flat where Cullen resided with his mother. Rosser believed his nephew could help them acquire more drugs.
The trio was soon picked up in a black Audi, driving across town on a mission. Their journey was marred by increasing agitation, reportedly escalated by continued drug use. As tempers frayed, the vehicle’s driver demanded the three men exit near the Dyfatty junction. A confrontation developed between Cullen and Norman, spilling out onto Upper Strand and eventually, into a road tunnel that would become the scene of the fatal act.
It was here, in the gloomy shadow of the tunnel, that Rosser, gripped by anger or panic, shattered his cider bottle and violently plunged it into Norman’s throat. Despite urgent attempts from passers-by, who courageously tried to stem the bleeding and performed chest compressions, Norman tragically succumbed to his injuries before emergency services could save him. The attack, which left Mr Norman dying on the pavement, unfolded in broad daylight and was followed by Rosser and Cullen returning to Cullen’s flat, leaving the scene behind.
During the trial, jurors were shown CCTV footage chronicling the group’s movements throughout that fateful morning. Although the fatal moment was not captured on camera, the prosecution argued that Cullen facilitated the offence by assisting or encouraging Rosser, citing the principle of “joint enterprise” in the fatal assault. The jury was also informed of the defendants’ extensive criminal histories: Rosser had accumulated 45 previous convictions for over 200 offences, including violent crimes, while Cullen had prior convictions including robbery and wounding.
Neither defendant chose to testify in court. Their barristers argued that the chaotic circumstances, poor-quality CCTV, and the state of intoxication of all parties involved left many uncertainties about what had truly transpired. Both men maintained that Norman’s behaviour had become unpredictable and confrontational after heavy substance use and that any harm was unintentional or unanticipated.
Following the convictions, Detective Chief Inspector Lianne Rees of South Wales Police acknowledged the distress caused to those who tried to save Norman’s life, and praised the dedication of police and legal professionals. She reflected on the profound loss suffered by Norman’s family, quoting their description of him as someone whose smile and humour could light up a room. Rees expressed hope that the verdicts would bring some solace to the bereaved.
This case has cast a spotlight on the dangers posed by drugs and violence within parts of Swansea, with local authorities and community leaders urging more support for vulnerable individuals and families affected by addiction.
Rosser and Cullen are due to be sentenced on Wednesday, 9 June. The incident serves as a sombre reminder of how quickly lives can be lost to violence, leaving lasting pain in its wake and underscoring the need for continued efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.