**Locked Up: Wales’ Most Notorious Criminals Sentenced in April – A Month in Review**
April has seen Wales’ courts deal with an alarming array of serious criminal cases, as nearly a hundred individuals were handed jail sentences for offences ranging from murder and child sexual abuse to large-scale drug conspiracies and violence. The month has shone a light on the diversity – and, at times, the disturbing nature – of crime in the country, raising questions about public safety, justice, and rehabilitation.
Among the most shocking cases was that of Alcwyn Thomas, who was found guilty of the murder of his partner Victoria Thomas, in a crime he attempted to portray as a sex game gone wrong. Despite Thomas’ claims and his noted lack of emotion in court, the trial exposed harrowing details: Vicki Thomas was found dead, having suffered injuries consistent with strangulation, and was discovered in distressing circumstances. Thomas received a life sentence, with a minimum term of 20 years.
April’s round-up also includes a crime that captured national attention – a 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, was sentenced for the attempted murder of two teachers and a fellow pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Ammanford. The incident, which involved a deliberate and brutal stabbing on school grounds, left the education community in shock and triggered discussions about safety and mental health in schools.
Tragedy also befell the outdoor community when paddleboarding instructor Nerys Bethan Lloyd was jailed for more than ten years after a catastrophic accident in Pembrokeshire claimed four lives. Lloyd, a former police officer, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter after it was revealed she ignored weather warnings and basic safety steps during a hazardous river tour.
Violence and predatory behaviour featured heavily in the courts. Former headteacher Anthony John Felton was imprisoned after attacking his deputy with a heavy tool in an unprovoked, jealous rage. County lines drug operations, sexual assaults, and horrendous child exploitation cases were also prominent, demonstrating the breadth of criminality that Wales’ justice system currently confronts.
Notably, a number of offenders were jailed for historic – but newly revealed – abuses, such as Mark Jones, aged 65, who was found guilty of sexually abusing four young girls, some as young as six at the time. These cases remind us of the lasting trauma victims endure, and the patience often required to see justice done.
Domestic violence remains a persistent theme. Several men, including Daniel Hale and Samuel Scaddan, were sentenced for exceptionally violent assaults against their partners, with courts noting the long-lasting psychological damage inflicted on survivors. These cases also once again sparked calls for greater intervention and support services for victims.
The drugs trade and associated violence were ever-present. The courts heard how criminals such as Ryan Lewis, Liam Devois, and Lydell Waithe were driven by financial gain or drug debts to supply Class A substances like cocaine, heroin, and MDMA. Many of these offenders operated across county boundaries and involved vulnerable young people in their operations, further complicating efforts to stem the tide of illegal drugs.
Fraud, burglary, and theft have perhaps less shock value but are a constant blight on communities. From rogue traders like Michael Anderson, who ruined multiple lives with fraudulent building schemes, to chronic burglars such as Marcus Bevan, whose offences run into triple digits, the impact on victims is often devastating, both financially and emotionally.
This month’s court calendar was also marked by chilling examples of stalking and coercive control. Dorian Williams, for example, isolated his ex-partner from friends and family in what the judge called a “sinister campaign” of harassment – a reminder that psychological abuse can be as damaging as physical violence.
Finally, cases such as those of Turkish national Hakan Barac, jailed for supporting terrorist activities, and Albanian and Iraqi nationals running cannabis farms highlight the international dimensions of some criminal activity in Wales – stressing the importance of cross-border cooperation and vigilance.
April’s convictions are only a sample of the daily reality faced by Welsh courts, prisons, and victims. The month serves as a sobering reminder of the continued challenges facing law enforcement, social services, and communities working to keep Wales a safe place for all. The stories behind the headlines illuminate both the grim persistence of crime and the critical march of justice, where each conviction represents not just a sentence, but a step towards accountability and, hopefully, healing for victims and society at large.