#penlan — Public Fediverse posts

SWANSEA: Prolific shoplifter who stole entire chocolate display case jailed after targeting city convenience stores

Richard Wolsey, 47, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from a shop at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 11 May and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Wolsey targeted supermarkets and convenience stores across Cadle, Portmead, Fforestfach, Penlan and the city centre — leaving with items worth as much as £657 in a single visit.

CCTV footage from one of the businesses, released by South Wales Police, captures the moment Wolsey walked out carrying an entire Cadbury’s display stand. The footage was shared by officers as part of a wider warning to shoplifters that persistent offenders will be identified, pursued and jailed.

PC Christian Thomas of South Wales Police said Wolsey had never shown any signs of attempting to change his ways. “Shop workers should not have to deal with petty thieves targeting their businesses,” he said. “But Richard Wolsey cares not a jot for those whose lives he makes harder with his shoplifting.”

He added: “We will relentlessly pursue anyone involved in shoplifting, especially those persistent offenders like Richard Wolsey, and they will be sent to prison.”

The shoplifting convictions are the latest chapter in a long and serious criminal history. In 2023, Wolsey appeared at Swansea Crown Court on far more serious charges — pointing a knife at his former partner’s neck on a park bench and threatening to slit her throat.

Prosecutor Hannah George told the court that Wolsey and the complainant had been in an on-off relationship for some 23 years, during which the defendant had been repeatedly violent towards her. The court heard that when Wolsey was released from prison following a 2021 assault conviction, the pair had rekindled their relationship with him promising to change — but by January the following year he had returned to his old ways.

The knife incident occurred in June 2022. Wolsey attended a garden area the couple used to frequent, found his former partner sitting on a bench reading a book, and grabbed her — pointing a Stanley-type knife at her neck and threatening to slit her throat. When she tried to flee, he punched her repeatedly to the back of the head.

At that sentencing, Wolsey was found to have 16 previous convictions for 32 offences including 11 for violence and two involving weapons. He had also breached a restraining order designed to protect his former partner on seven separate occasions since it was first imposed in 2015.

Judge Geraint Walters jailed him for two years for the knife offence and related charges, telling him the sentences would only get longer each time he broke the order. A new indefinite restraining order was imposed.

The latest sentence means Wolsey has now spent significant periods of his life in custody. He was of no fixed abode at the time of the shoplifting offences, and South Wales Police say he remains a priority target for enforcement action.

South Wales Police say shoplifting causes real harm to the people who run and work in small businesses — and that persistent offenders like Wolsey who show no intention of stopping will face the full consequences.

Anyone who recognises shoplifting activity in their local area can report it to South Wales Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More court cases

Prolific shoplifter jailed for ten months and banned from every store she targeted
Another persistent offender sentenced after a sustained campaign of theft from Bridgend shops.

Maesteg meat thief: serial shoplifter jailed after six raids in six weeks
A serial shoplifter who repeatedly targeted the same stores was banned from the town’s shops entirely.

Swansea burglar jailed after targeting city business
Another Swansea offender jailed after targeting local businesses.

Serial dine and dashers sentenced to jail
A pair who repeatedly ran off without paying at restaurants across south Wales were jailed.

SWANSEA: Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack

Swansea Crown Court heard that the background to the violence was a belief on the part of brothers Adam Miller and Kristian Thomas that Corey Jenkins was involved in drug dealing in the Ravenhill area of Swansea.

On 6 June, the pair acted on that belief by taking golf clubs to the Jenkins family home on Rhodfa’r Brain, where they smashed a number of downstairs windows before walking to the nearby home of a relative, David Dallimore.

In response, four members of the Jenkins family — Paul, Christopher, Corey and Lisa Jenkins — armed themselves with weapons and made their way to Mr Dallimore’s address, where the confrontation spilled into the street.

The disturbance was captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage. Corey Jenkins was seen wielding a plank of wood studded with nails and a metal pole, Paul Jenkins had a hammer, and Christopher and Lisa Jenkins were armed with sticks.

During the melee, Thomas struck neighbour Kirsty Choi on the head with a metal pole as she tried to help an injured member of the Jenkins family nearby.

Judge Catherine Richards said that while Miller and Thomas had sparked the incident by taking the law into their own hands and attacking the Jenkins home, the Jenkins family had then armed themselves and engaged in an act of “vigilantism” without regard for the impact on the wider community or the fear caused to fellow residents.

The judge’s remarks underlined the serious impact the disorder had on innocent people in the area. Residents who had no connection to either party were left to witness a large-scale armed confrontation on their street, with the judge making clear that the Jenkins family’s decision to arm themselves and pursue retribution had significantly aggravated the situation.

Paul Jenkins, 64, Christopher Paul Jenkins, 45, Corey Jenkins, 23, and Lisa Dawn Jenkins, 45, all of Rhodfa’r Brain, Ravenhill, had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. Paul and Christopher Jenkins have previous convictions; Corey and Lisa Jenkins had been of previously good character.

Kristian Dale Thomas, 39, of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was convicted at trial of the unlawful wounding of Miss Choi. He was described as having an extensive record including possession of offensive weapons, affray, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and handling stolen goods.

Adam Miller, 34, also of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. He too was described as having an extensive record including affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, arson and criminal damage. Both men were acquitted at trial of violent disorder in relation to the Rhodfa’r Brain incident. Mr Dallimore was also found not guilty.

With discounts for their guilty pleas, Paul Jenkins and Christopher Jenkins were both sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Corey Jenkins to 22 months. Lisa Jenkins received an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and abide by a nightly curfew for two months.

Miller was sentenced to nine months in prison. Thomas, whose conviction at trial for the wounding of Miss Choi added significantly to his sentence, received 26 months in prison.

Those given immediate custodial sentences will serve 40% of their terms behind bars before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community. The case was prosecuted following a police investigation into the disorder, which had been captured in detail on CCTV and mobile phone footage recovered from the scene.

PENLAN: Selfies and fish and chips – First Minister’s ‘off-script’ surprise visit to Swansea social club

The Welsh leader made an unannounced appearance at the Penlan Social Club, catching supporters and staff off guard in a “no airs and graces” visit.

Organisers admit the night went “slightly off script” when the First Minister was found in a huddle with young people in the bar, posing for photos before her formal speech.

Ms Morgan arrived quietly and without fanfare, joining more than 80 people gathered for the launch of Welsh Labour’s new Gwyr Abertawe candidates.

Alison Martin, Club Secretary of Penlan Social Club, said: “Our regulars had no idea she was coming and were delighted to have the First Minister posing for photos in the bar.”

She added: “It’s not every day the First Minister drops in for a fish and chip supper and we’re very proud to have been part of such a special evening.”

The First Minister used the visit to set out her party’s election pledges ahead of the Senedd vote on May 7, promising a “new chapter” for Wales.

The evening also marked a changing of the guard for Swansea, with Ms Morgan paying tribute to long-serving MSs Julie James and Rebecca Evans, who are both standing down.

The new candidate list for the region is led by Mike Hedges MS, followed by Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart, who has spearheaded the city’s regeneration.

In a move that delighted the room, Ms Morgan stayed on after the formal speeches to enjoy a supper of fish and chips supplied by local Swansea chip shop, Roma.

She also took time to meet local business owners, including Nicky Romanello from the popular chippy, who had supported the event.

The First Minister’s unannounced stop in Penlan is seen as a key moment in the lead-up to the May elections, as parties begin to ramp up their local campaigns.

https://www.europesays.com/uk/716916/ Street of chaos had police there ‘every day’ then it all changed bar one sad exception #Britain #GreatBritain #Penlan #Places #Premium #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales

Swansea’s blue bag plastics trial extended – 70 tonnes collected so far

Around 20,000 households across the city have been stuffing crisp packets, bread bags and biscuit wrappers into special blue bags for kerbside pick‑up. The trial, launched in spring, was designed to see if residents would embrace recycling the trickiest plastics that usually end up in black bags.

They did. Within weeks, Swansea Bay News reported more than five tonnes had already been collected. Now the total has soared past 70 tonnes, with the material recycled into new products like bags for life and bin liners.

“A great success story”

Cabinet Member Cyril Anderson said:

“The trial so far has been a really great success story. Residents have got on board with it and have quickly seen the value in using the recycling service and reducing the amount of household waste they put in the black bag. Our plan is to continue the trial into the new year and give residents in the trial areas the opportunity to use the blue bags until June.”

Where it runs

The scheme covers a mix of areas across Swansea – from Blaenymaes, Fforestfach and Penlan to Clydach, Hafod and Townhill – chosen to test how different housing types use the service. Residents outside the trial can still recycle soft plastics at supermarket collection points.

What goes in the bag

Accepted items include crisp packets, bread bags, cereal liners, pet food bags, magazine wrapping and multipack rings. Residents are asked to rinse items and tie bags securely with a double knot.

Items such as cling film, polystyrene, cleaning product pouches and blister packs are not accepted and should go in black bags.

What’s next

The Welsh Government is collating data from Swansea’s trial to help decide how similar schemes could be rolled out across other towns and cities. For now, Swansea households in the pilot areas can keep filling their blue bags until 30 June 2026.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Council to trial soft plastic kerbside recycling scheme in Swansea
Swansea Council launched the pilot scheme in April, inviting 20,000 households to recycle soft plastics at the kerbside.

Swansea residents embrace new soft plastics recycling trial with over five tonnes already collected
Early figures showed strong uptake, with residents quickly filling blue bags and more than five tonnes collected within weeks.

Plans revealed to change kerbside recycling in Swansea
Wider proposals to reshape recycling collections across the city, including how soft plastics could fit into future services.

Fresh images reveal major revamp planned for Bryn Tawe

What’s proposed

Design documents released this month reveal how Bryn Tawe could be reshaped as part of Swansea Council’s multi‑million pound schools improvement programme.

At the heart of the scheme is a new detached teaching block to the north of the site. The building would provide modern classrooms, specialist provision for pupils with additional learning needs, and a dedicated sixth form centre.

The school’s entrance would be remodelled with a new reception, while circulation routes across the campus are redesigned to ease congestion. Parking would be expanded for both the school and neighbouring Penlan Leisure Centre, reflecting the site’s role as a community hub.

Sports facilities are also in line for a major upgrade, with the existing multi‑use games area replaced by a floodlit pitch. Landscaping across the grounds would be refreshed, creating new social spaces for pupils.

Why now

The Design and Access Statement highlights rising demand for Welsh‑medium education in Swansea, with Bryn Tawe expected to need space for hundreds more pupils in the coming years. The new block would provide capacity for up to 248 additional places.

Council chiefs say the redevelopment is part of the national Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, backed by Welsh Government funding, which aims to deliver modern, energy‑efficient schools across Wales.

Civic voices

Council Leader Rob Stewart has previously described the wider programme as “a major step forward for education in Swansea,” stressing that investment in modern facilities is vital to give pupils the best start in life.

Local politicians have also pointed to the civic impact of Bryn Tawe’s plans, with improved access and upgraded sports facilities expected to benefit both pupils and the wider community.

Next steps

The proposals are currently out for public consultation, with responses invited until mid‑January. A full planning application is expected to follow.

If approved, Bryn Tawe’s redevelopment would join other major school projects already moving forward across Swansea — part of a multi‑million pound investment designed to future‑proof education in the city.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Multi-million pound Swansea school improvement project set for step forward
Council confirmed Bryn Tawe was among schools earmarked for investment in 2024.

More than 500 pupils to move into new Swansea school next week
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw opened its £11.5m new build for Welsh-medium learners.

The results are in! A-Level students find out how they’ve done
Local schools celebrated exam success, highlighting the importance of investment in education facilities.

#ALN #featured #newSchool #Penlan #PlanningPermission #sixthForm #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #WelshMediumEducation #YsgolGyfunBrynTawe

Swansea dealer jailed for seven years after heroin and cocaine haul

Plea change seals prison term

Christopher Smith, 52, was first found with a stash of cocaine in 2022. In March this year, officers discovered heroin in his possession.

Smith initially denied the cocaine charge but changed his plea to guilty on 21 July. He had already admitted possession with intent to supply heroin in April, as well as earlier guilty pleas to possession of cannabis and carrying an offensive weapon — a knuckleduster — in public.

The judge handed him a total sentence of seven years and six months behind bars.

Suspended sentence for accomplice

Meanwhile, Magda Osinska, 30, also from Penlan, was given a suspended sentence of 22 months, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.

“Purely motivated by financial gain”

PC Jonathan Ryan said:

“Christopher Smith and Magda Osinska were clearly very involved with the distribution of Class A and B drugs onto our communities’ streets.

They became involved purely motivated by financial gain. They did not care for the damage these drugs would do to the communities and to those who ended up taking them.

They deserve their time in prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Nine members of Swansea drug gang and three of their customers jailed
Twelve men sentenced after flooding Brynmill and surrounding areas with Class A drugs.

Swansea crime gang jailed for cocaine supply
Seven men handed more than 58 years in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Three Swansea drug dealers jailed for dealing cocaine
Trio convicted over organised gang activity in Swansea’s drug trade.

Swansea man linked to transatlantic yacht cocaine plot as crime group jailed
Crime group convicted over plan to smuggle cocaine via sailing race route.

Two Gorseinon gang members jailed for cocaine dealing
Men sentenced after investigation into Swansea-based organised crime group.

#Cannabis #cocaine #drugConviction #drugDealer #drugs #knuckleduster #Penlan #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea

Fire crews tackle tumble dryer blaze in Penlan

Fire crews from Swansea Central and Morriston were called at 12.27am on Monday, November 10, after a tumble dryer was reported to be well alight in an outbuilding on Llangorse Road.

Using a hose reel jet, firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control before deploying a thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots and a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke. Crews left the scene just over an hour later, at 1.34am, and visited neighbouring properties to hand out home fire safety advice.

Inside the outbuilding, the charred remains of the tumble dryer stood among blackened walls and smoke‑stained debris — a stark reminder of how quickly everyday household appliances can become a serious fire hazard.

There were no reports of any injuries or anyone being taken to hospital.

Fire service warning

Following the incident, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reminded householders of the dangers posed by tumble dryers and other white goods.

A spokesperson said:

“We urge people never to leave appliances unattended — don’t turn your tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast‑moving parts that get very hot.

Don’t overload your machine, don’t put in items that have soaked up flammable liquids, and don’t ignore warning signs such as a burning smell or clothes that feel unusually hot at the end of a cycle.”

#fire #houseFire #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #Penlan #Swansea #tumbleDryer #tumbleDryerFire

Making a splash: Swansea swim school wins gold accreditation from Swim Wales

The charitable and not‑for‑profit trust, which manages 29 leisure centres across Wales, was awarded the highest quality mark available for delivering the Learn to Swim Wales programme. The Gold Accreditation recognises excellence in governance, sustainability and effectiveness in swimming education, going beyond basic industry standards and safeguarding guidelines.

A milestone for Swansea

Freedom Leisure manages Swansea’s leisure centres on behalf of the city council and currently supports around 4,000 swimmers through its Learn to Swim programme. The scheme is delivered by a highly skilled team of teachers, offering lessons to both children and adults.

Chief Executive Officer Ivan Horsfall Turner said the award was a proud moment:

“We are delighted to have been Gold Accredited by Swim Wales for our Learn to Swim programme and extremely proud to be the first leisure operator in Wales to have achieved this accolade.”

He added that the partnership with Swim Wales helps provide children and adults with confidence in the water, particularly important in coastal areas such as Swansea.

Recognition from Swim Wales

Swim Wales Chief Executive Officer Fergus Feeney praised the achievement:

“This distinction demonstrates a sustained commitment to excellence in swimming education, ensuring that children and adults across Swansea have access to the highest standard of opportunities to acquire a vital life skill.”

Learn to Swim Manager Hanna Guise added that Freedom Leisure had shown “just how committed they are to providing their learners with the highest quality learn to swim offer,” setting a benchmark for other providers.

Local impact

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure, said the award reflected the quality and dedication of the team:

“It’s reassuring to know that our leisure centres – run on behalf of the council by Freedom Leisure – are providing such high‑quality tuition that is recognised nationally.”

He added that the recognition highlighted the strength of the partnership between Swansea Council and Freedom Leisure, delivering opportunities that benefit residents of all ages.

#CllrAndrewStevens #FreedomLeisure #LearnToSwimWales #LeisureCentre #Penlan #PenlanLeisureCentre #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaLeisureCentres #SwimWales #swimming

@Nyddfwch Kilvey is just over the valley from me, I overlook the docks from #Penlan Gendros way