#carmarthenpark — Public Fediverse posts

Carmarthen man to appear in court charged with attempted murder

McKenna was charged following an incident in Carmarthen Park that prompted a major police search and public appeals.

He was arrested five days after a knife attack on a woman, during which the victim suffered serious injuries as she fled through the Picton Terrace entrance calling for help. Officers say she is now expected to make a full recovery.

Carmarthen saw a large police response following the attack and a manhunt across the town. Officers named Mckenna as a suspect during the search, urging the public not to approach him while enquiries continued

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

A spokesperson for Dyfed‑Powys Police said:

“James Mckenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place and stalking, following an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday, January 29.

“He will appear at Llanelli Magistrates Court tomorrow (Thursday, February 5).”

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Arrest made after manhunt for Carmarthen Park attempted murder suspect

Dyfed‑Powys Police announced the development this afternoon, four days after launching a large‑scale manhunt across the town and surrounding woodland. Officers had been searching for McKenna since Thursday, when a woman was stabbed just inside the park before fleeing to raise the alarm.

The force said the arrest follows extensive enquiries and a public appeal issued over the weekend.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ross Evans said:

“We would like to thank the media and our communities for assisting our investigation so far.”

Police confirmed that comments on their public update have been disabled as court proceedings are now active under the Contempt of Court Act.

The victim, who suffered stab wounds during the attack, is expected to make a full recovery.

No further details have been released at this stage.

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The 57‑year‑old remains on the run five days after the attack, which left the victim with serious injuries as she fled through the Picton Terrace entrance calling for help. Officers say she is now expected to make a full recovery.

Dyfed‑Powys Police confirmed today that teams have been working “continuously” across the weekend, carrying out extensive searches inside the park and across surrounding allotments, woodland and wetlands. Specialist dog units, drone pilots and forensic teams have all been deployed as the force widens its search area along the Towy riverbank and locations McKenna is known to visit.

A knife believed to have been used in the attack has now been recovered, along with a rucksack found during the systematic searches. Detectives are also examining digital and financial activity and have checked with transport operators to establish whether McKenna attempted to leave the area — though officers currently believe he has remained local.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ross Evans said:

“I assure that we are doing all we can to locate James McKenna, and that our work has been continuous over the weekend and into today.

Having processed the initial scenes of interest inside and immediately outside Carmarthen Park, our search areas have expanded to include large wooded areas, the Towy riverbank and places he is known to frequent.

We do not believe at this time that he has used any mode of transport to leave the area, however if anyone has any information that could suggest otherwise, we urge them to get in touch.”

He added that the victim, despite suffering multiple stab wounds, is not believed to have life‑changing injuries.

Detective Chief Superintendent Evans said:

“We wish her well as she recovers, and are ensuring she is supported both by our officers and external organisations.”

Police thanked residents for their patience as the large‑scale search continues, with neighbourhood teams remaining in the area to reassure the public.

McKenna is described as white, 5ft 7in tall, bald with white facial hair, and was last seen wearing a green coat and blue beanie hat.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police online via the dedicated portal, email [email protected], call 101, or dial 999 in an emergency. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Police name wanted man as hunt intensifies after Carmarthen Park attempted murder
Officers identify the suspect as the search operation escalates.

Police hunt named suspect after attempted murder in Carmarthen Park
Detectives appeal for information after a woman is stabbed inside the park.

Police name wanted man as hunt intensifies after Carmarthen Park attempted murder

The force said the incident happened between 3pm and 4pm on Wednesday (29 January). A woman was taken to hospital, where police say she remains in a stable condition.

Officers are now trying to locate 57‑year‑old James McKenna, who police say is wanted in connection with the attack. The force said McKenna is local to Carmarthen but is known to have links to Ireland, and that checks have been carried out at ports and transport hubs.

Police described McKenna as a white British man, around 5ft 7in tall, bald, with white facial hair. Photographs released by the force show him with a shaved head and white beard.

Members of the public are being urged by police not to approach him. Dyfed‑Powys Police said anyone who sees McKenna or has information about his whereabouts should contact officers immediately via the designated information portal, by emailing 101@dyfed‑powys.police.uk, calling 101, or dialling 999 in an emergency. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers.

‘We are doing everything possible to locate James’ — police

Detective Chief Superintendent Ross Evans, who is leading the investigation, said officers understand the incident has caused concern in the community.

“We understand that this incident is a cause of concern for the people of Carmarthen. I want to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to locate James and bring the incident to a swift conclusion,” he said.

DCS Evans said extra patrols were deployed around school closing time to reassure pupils, parents and staff, and that additional officers will remain visible in the town as enquiries continue.

He said the force believes the incident is isolated and that the increased police presence is “for reassurance only”.

“This type of incident is highly unusual for the area, and I want to be clear that we will not tolerate violence of any sort in our community,” he said.

DCS Evans acknowledged that the police cordon at Picton Terrace has caused disruption for residents, saying officers “hope to release the scenes as soon as possible”.

He thanked the community for its patience and issued a direct appeal to McKenna.

“Finally, to James – if you see this message, I encourage you to make yourself known to us at the earliest opportunity so that this matter can be resolved swiftly.”

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Police hunt named suspect after attempted murder in Carmarthen Park
Our earlier report on the initial appeal after a woman was seriously injured in Carmarthen Park.

Police hunt named suspect after attempted murder in Carmarthen park

The force said officers were called just after 4pm on Thursday following a report that a woman had been assaulted in Carmarthen Park. According to police, she was taken to hospital with injuries to her torso and hand and is currently in a stable condition.

Dyfed‑Powys Police said Picton Terrace was closed to traffic and an area inside the park was cordoned off while officers examined the scene. The force added that a number of scenes remained in place late into the night as enquiries continued.

Police: victim and suspect known to each other

Detective Superintendent Anthony Evans, Dyfed‑Powys Police, said officers had identified a male suspect who is known to the victim and that enquiries were ongoing to locate and arrest him.

“I am aware that this is an incident which is understandably causing concern in the area,” he said. “I wish to assure the local community that our officers are following all possible lines of enquiry to locate and arrest the suspect as quickly as possible.

“You will continue to see police in the areas around Picton Terrace, Carmarthen Park and other addresses as we investigate this appalling incident.

“Our enquiries so far have led us to understand that this was not a random attack, and that the suspect and victim were known to each other. We are now actively looking for a named individual, and should we need the public’s assistance in locating him we will issue further information.

“If you were in Carmarthen Park at around 4pm today and saw any behaviour that you would consider to be suspicious, or anyone leaving the area at speed, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Dyfed‑Powys Police said the attempted murder investigation remains ongoing.