#swanseacrowncourt — Public Fediverse posts

LLANELLI: Crack cocaine dealer jailed for three years after police raid on Pwll property

A Llanelli man has been jailed for three years after Dyfed-Powys Police raided his home and seized thousands of pounds worth of crack cocaine — with his arrest coming only after a public appeal helped officers track him down months later.

Jake Ware, 26, of Pwll in Llanelli, was sentenced to three years in prison at Swansea Crown Court on 1 May 2026, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, and possessing criminal property.

Officers carried out a search warrant at an address in Llanelli on 17 December 2025 following intelligence that Ware was supplying Class A and B drugs from the property.

During the search, police seized approximately £4,000 worth of crack cocaine, more than £2,000 in cash, and a range of items typically associated with drug dealing, including weighing scales and digital devices.

Although no one was present at the address during the search, officers observed two vehicles passing the property on multiple occasions. Efforts by the Roads Policing Unit to locate the vehicles were unsuccessful, and Ware was formally named as a wanted suspect.

A public appeal to trace Ware was launched on 26 March 2026, and he was arrested later that same afternoon following information received from members of the public.

Detectives also uncovered further evidence of Ware’s drug dealing activity through a Facebook account he operated under the fake name “JJ Mac.” Messages sent from the account included references to measuring and selling cocaine, with one message reading: “I literally got half oz weighed here chuck me 25 tomorrow.”

Ware was charged and remanded into custody following his arrest, appearing at Swansea Crown Court on 27 April where he entered his guilty pleas.

Detective Sergeant Richard Saunders said Ware had believed he could get away with supplying harmful drugs in the Llanelli area, but would now face the consequences.

“I want to thank the public who responded to our appeal to locate Ware,” he said. “With your help, we were able to arrest Ware and take another drug dealer off our streets.”

DS Saunders urged anyone who suspects drug dealing in their area to report it — either anonymously through Crimestoppers or directly to Dyfed-Powys Police.

SWANSEA: Dyfatty man armed with tyre iron beat woman in garage over spiking claims

Brian Michael Nicol, of Prince of Wales Road, Dyfatty, Swansea, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He entered his pleas on the day he had been due to stand trial.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court the assault took place on the evening of April 18 last year at the Ensign car sales garage on Carmarthen Road, Swansea. The business was closed at the time, and the victim had called in to visit the owner, who was a friend of hers.

At around 8.50 pm, Nicol arrived and began hammering on the office door, shouting, “What have you said to my missus!” When the woman opened the door, Nicol, carrying a tyre iron, forced his way inside. He grabbed her, threw her to the floor, and got on top of her, striking her repeatedly before kicking and stamping on her.

After the assault, Nicol sat down in a chair inside the office and accused his victim of having “spiked” his wife. He then left the premises, and the attack was subsequently reported to police, leading to his arrest.

The victim sustained bruising and a cut to her wrist, marks to her neck, and a cut and bruising to her shoulder.

The court heard Nicol had 31 previous convictions spanning 77 offences, the majority of which related to acquisitive and drug offences. He had one prior conviction for violence, a common assault dating back to 2008, and was last before the courts in 2016 for possession of a Class C drug.

Alycia Carpanini, representing Nicol, told the court that her client had been free from drugs for between five and 10 years following a long-standing heroin addiction, and had been working hard to avoid falling back into his former lifestyle. She said Nicol was a working man who had been “shocked” at his own behaviour on the night in question.

Judge Huw Rees said it appeared Nicol had been seeking some sort of “revenge” for what he believed had happened to his wife when he forced his way into the garage and attacked the woman. The judge acknowledged that Nicol’s record showed he was not usually a violent man, but said he had lost his temper and acted in anger in what was a “disgraceful incident”.

Judge Rees said a sentence of immediate custody was inevitable. With a one-third discount applied for his guilty pleas, Nicol was sentenced to 16 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. A restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting Nicol from contacting his victim for 10 years.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

Former council HGV driver used chapel opposite his home as cocaine pick-up point — jailed for three and a half years

A former council lorry driver has been jailed for three and a half years after running a cocaine dealing operation from his home in the Swansea Valley — using the chapel opposite his flat as a pick-up point for customers.

Sheridan Geen, 53, now of Howell Road, Neath, was convicted at trial of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property. He also admitted possession of morphine at Swansea Crown Court on April 21.

Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at Geen’s former home on Heol Twrch in Lower Cwmtwrch, near Ystradgynlais, on October 27, 2022. Officers found £1,560 in cash, weighing scales, a quantity of empty grip-seal bags inside a Gillette toiletries bag, and a small amount of morphine. Geen was also found attempting to conceal more than 40 wraps of cocaine — totalling 27.5 grams — on the bathroom window ledge.

An examination of Geen’s mobile phone revealed messages relating to the supply of cocaine. Prosecutor Regan Walters told the court that the chapel opposite his home had been used as a regular meeting point where customers would come to collect their orders.

Recorder Jonathan Rees KC said it was clear from the phone evidence that Geen had been running a commercial drug dealing business, using the chapel as a convenient location to meet customers.

During his police interview, Geen answered “no comment” to most questions. He denied any involvement in drug supply, claimed he had never heard of class A drugs, and said the cash found at his address had been given to him by his father, who had inherited it. When challenged about messages on his phone containing the words “bash” and “pure” — both well-known slang terms for cocaine — he insisted he had no idea what they referred to.

His barrister Christopher Evans told the court that Geen had worked as an HGV driver for his local council for 30 years before losing his job in 2020, following the breakdown of a relationship in 2017. “Things started to spiral out of control,” Mr Evans said, adding that Geen’s mental health had declined as a result.

The court heard Geen had turned to cocaine to self-medicate — claiming the stimulant paradoxically helped him sleep — and that a gambling problem had compounded his financial difficulties, pushing him deeper into debt and eventually into dealing to fund his habit. “He was dealing primarily to fund his own drug use rather than for profit,” his barrister said.

Mr Evans told the court that Geen had lost contact with his son during this period but had since reconnected with him, describing the relationship as a key motivating factor in his recovery. He said his client had now been drug-free for three years.

Although Geen denied dealing throughout his trial, his barrister said he now accepts full responsibility for his actions. Being arrested had served as a “wake-up call,” the court heard.

Geen has eight previous convictions for nine offences dating back to 1990, including drug possession, but none for dealing.

He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and ordered to pay a £228 surcharge. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing into his finances has been scheduled for July 28.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Ammanford pair used ‘Chinese’ as codeword for cocaine orders — jailed after being caught waiting for a delivery in Swansea
Another recent cocaine supply sentence from Swansea Crown Court.

Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
More cocaine supply sentencing from Swansea Crown Court.

NEATH: Man jailed for strangling vulnerable partner who he threatened would end up back on the streets

A man has been jailed after strangling his vulnerable partner to the point she lost consciousness, a court has heard.

Daniel Rogers, 38, formerly of Croft Road in Neath but now of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to intentional strangulation at Swansea Crown Court. He has also been made subject to a restraining order protecting his victim.

Rogers had initially denied the offence, claiming the injuries to the woman had been caused during consensual sexual activity — a defence he maintained until shortly before trial, when he reversed his plea and admitted the charge.

The court heard that Rogers and the woman had met in 2021, when the victim was homeless and Rogers had an income and stable accommodation. Over time she developed feelings for him, but he used her vulnerability to control her, making threats that she would end up back on the streets.

The attack took place on April 28, 2024, at an Airbnb rental property in the Neath area. The court heard that both had been drinking when a verbal argument broke out. Rogers became increasingly aggressive, screaming in the woman’s face before grabbing her and throwing her onto the bed. He then put both hands around her throat and squeezed.

The victim struggled to get free, later describing how she felt unable to breathe and feared her eyes “were going to burst.” She lost consciousness and cannot remember how the assault ended — only that police were present when she came round. A neighbour had called 999 after hearing screams.

When officers arrived, the victim told them Rogers had done nothing wrong. It was only the following day, speaking to a domestic violence support worker, that she revealed what had really happened — saying she had not told the truth to police because she did not think she would be believed and feared Rogers would not be arrested.

Rogers came to the attention of police again in August 2024 after a member of the public called 999 reporting screams and a disturbance involving the same woman. Following his arrest, the victim disclosed the full details of the April strangulation.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said Rogers’ behaviour had severely impacted her mental health and that she no longer feels safe. She said she had believed she was going to die when he strangled her, and that looking back she believed he had deliberately exploited her vulnerabilities and the fact she had nowhere else to go.

Recorder Greg Bull KC, sentencing, told Rogers that strangulation was not permitted in law even with consent, and that its consequences can be fatal. He noted Rogers’ “appalling” record for violence and expressed concern at the length of time the case had taken to come to court.

Rogers has 26 previous convictions for 27 offences, including battery of a former partner, assaulting emergency workers, breaching a non-molestation order, and a particularly chilling offence of sending threatening communications to an ex-girlfriend — including messages saying he was going to kill her, accompanied by a photograph of himself digging what he described as her grave.

Sergeant Danielle Walters said: “Daniel Rogers’ victim felt like he was going to kill her as a result of his domestic violence. She had been scared to report what he was doing at first, due to her fear of reprisal from Rogers if she did so.

“Sadly, this is an all-too-common occurrence in cases of domestic violence such as this. She has been through a terrible ordeal, and we are pleased that she is finally free of his abuse now that he is going to prison. The victim is receiving all the available support after coming through the ordeal.”

Rogers was sentenced to 18 months in prison. With credit for his guilty plea he will serve up to half that time in custody before being released on licence.

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can contact the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800, available 24 hours a day. The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
Another sentencing story from Swansea Crown Court.

Abuse horror: Man jailed after decade of child sexual offences
Further coverage from our courts reporter.

CAUGHT DEALING: Townhill man who tried to outrun police found hiding behind parked car — and cocaine was on the ground beside him

A Swansea drug dealer who tried to flee from plain-clothed police officers has been jailed for three years and eight months after being caught hiding behind parked cars — with cocaine on the ground nearby.

Kian Meredith, 22, of Caradog Place, Townhill, was spotted by officers on patrol in Prince of Wales Road in Swansea, who observed what they believed was a drug deal taking place among a group of known drug users. When officers approached, the group scattered. Meredith ran towards the Dyfatty junction before being found a short time later crouching behind two parked vehicles on Greenhill Street.

On the ground near him were wraps of cocaine. When searched, officers found a mobile phone and £115 in cash.

A download of Meredith’s phone later revealed messages related to the supply of cocaine and crack cocaine over the previous three months, as well as a so-called “tick list” — a record of money owed to him by customers. He answered no comment to all questions in police interview.

Meredith had already pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and to simple possession of cocaine when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.

The case was made significantly more serious by Meredith’s history. He was out of prison on licence at the time of the offence, having previously been convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine in 2023 — offences linked to the Jack line, a drugs network that was supplying significant quantities of both cocaine and heroin to users around Swansea. He received three years in a young offenders institution for those matters.

His barrister Emily Bennett told the court that Meredith had relapsed into cocaine and crack use in January this year “for no particular reason,” which had led to what she described as a “spiral” of addiction, debt and then dealing. She said his decision to run from officers when approached reflected his lack of maturity.

Ms Bennett said her client wanted to use his time in custody constructively, tackle his addiction issues, and train as a barber “so he is in a better position when he comes out of prison.”

Judge Catherine Richards said she accepted that Meredith’s life had been blighted by drugs, but said that by the age of just 22 he had been caught dealing on three separate occasions — and that the most recent offence was aggravated by the fact he had been on licence at the time. With a one-third reduction for his guilty pleas, she imposed a sentence of three years and eight months. He will serve 40% of that in custody before being released on licence.

The area where Meredith was caught has been the focus of a dedicated crackdown by South Wales Police, which has already seen crime fall 12% and anti-social behaviour drop 69% in the Dyfatty area following targeted enforcement activity.

South Wales Police Sergeant Luke Tucker said: “Kian Meredith was caught in the act while trying to peddle his poison onto the streets of Swansea. He is now going to prison for almost four years — a very costly price to pay which shows that dealing Class A drugs is just not worth it. Our officers will find you and you will go to prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Crime down 12% and anti-social behaviour down 69% as Dyfatty crackdown delivers early results
South Wales Police targeted the same area where Meredith was caught dealing, with significant early results.

Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
South Wales Police smashed a major drugs supply operation across multiple areas of Swansea.

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
A violent revenge attack in Swansea led to lengthy prison sentences for those involved.

ABERGWYNFI: Man admits weapons stash after major incident saw homes evacuated

Maximin Carter, 51, from Neath Port Talbot, pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court to a string of offences following the dramatic scenes in Abergwynfi last month.

Police were called to a property on Commercial Street on February 14 amid concerns he was attempting to make an explosive.

As previously reported by Swansea Bay News, the incident led to homes being evacuated and a major emergency response in the village, with residents told to leave for their safety.

Officers later discovered what they described as a “significant” cache of weapons at the address.

Carter has now admitted possessing an air rifle, a samurai sword, a knuckle duster and four telescopic truncheons.

He pleaded guilty to possessing a banned weapon under the Firearms Act 1968, along with six counts of possessing offensive weapons.

The 51-year-old has been remanded in custody and is currently being held at Swansea Prison.

He is due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on April 7.

The case follows the major incident that unfolded in Abergwynfi, which Swansea Bay News covered live as police cordons were put in place and residents were evacuated.

We also reported how a man later appeared in court charged in connection with the discovery of weapons at the property.

The latest development confirms the scale of the weapons haul that triggered the emergency response and disruption for the local community.

Predator jailed for 21 years after ‘abhorrent’ attacks on woman and children

Talha Ahmadzai, 33, who had been living in Haverfordwest after arriving in the UK from Afghanistan, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (March 16) after admitting a string of serious crimes committed in February last year.

The offences involved three victims — a woman, a young girl and a boy.

Ahmadzai pleaded guilty to multiple charges including three counts of rape, rape of a child under 13, attempted rape of a child under 13, causing a child to watch a sexual act, assault by beating and cruelty to a person under 16.

He was handed an extended sentence totalling 21 years and seven months, including 19 years and seven months in custody followed by a further two years on licence.

The court heard he must serve at least two-thirds of his prison term before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.

An indefinite restraining order was also imposed, banning him from ever contacting his victims again.

‘Catalogue of abhorrent offending’

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees described Ahmadzai’s crimes as a “catalogue of abhorrent offending of the utmost seriousness”.

Prosecutors told the court the attacks came to light after the adult victim reported what had happened, prompting a police investigation.

During interviews, Ahmadzai initially denied the allegations and claimed the sex had been consensual.

But the court heard he later made deeply troubling remarks to officers, reportedly stating that “women won’t have sex without force”.

He also questioned the authority of UK courts, suggesting the acts he had committed “were not offences” in his home country.

‘Sexually preoccupied’ and high risk

The court heard Ahmadzai had been “sexually preoccupied for a long time” and held “entrenched views”, with a pre-sentence report concluding he poses a high risk to the public.

Evidence presented suggested he had previously suffered serious mental health issues and had been hospitalised before the offences, with his defence saying his behaviour followed a psychotic episode.

Defence barrister David Singh told the court his client had no previous convictions and had since received treatment.

However, Judge Rees said there was effectively no mitigation for the seriousness of the crimes.

Police praise victims’ bravery

Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said the sentence reflected the severity of Ahmadzai’s actions.

She said: “Ahmadzai is clearly an incredibly dangerous and cruel individual, and the sentence he has received reflects this.

“I would like to commend the bravery and dignity shown by his victims, who courageously gave their evidence of their horrendous ordeals.

“To do so and relive their experience must have been incredibly traumatic.”

She added that thanks to the victims’ evidence and the work of detectives, Ahmadzai is now “no longer a danger to the public”.

Deportation to be considered

The court heard Ahmadzai may face deportation once he has served his sentence.

Judge Rees said the case would be referred to the Home Office to consider his removal from the UK.

Dyfed-Powys Police said support is available for anyone affected by sexual violence and urged victims to come forward and report offences.

JAILED: Newport duo locked up for ‘brazen’ £43k West Wales golf club raid

Mikael Bourkhari, 45, and Simon Dickey, 38, were both handed prison sentences at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (March 2) following their “devastating” overnight raids.

The pair had previously admitted to the burglary spree which targeted both Haverfordwest and Carmarthen golf clubs in back-to-back hits.

The court heard how police were first alerted at 12.45am on Sunday, January 18, when an intruder alarm was triggered at Haverfordwest Golf Club.

Officers arrived just six minutes later to find a “forcible break-in” had occurred, with the club shop stripped of high-value equipment.

It was estimated that several golf clubs, worth between £100 and £500 each, had been snatched, with the total value of the Haverfordwest haul reaching a massive £36,000.

While police were investigating the first scene, a red Vauxhall van was identified as a vehicle of interest, sparking a cross-county hunt for the burglars.

Officers in Carmarthenshire were alerted and, while patrolling Carmarthen Golf Club as a precaution, discovered that the duo had already struck again.

The front door of the Carmarthen club had been smashed in, with around £7,000 worth of clubs stolen and £5,000 in damage caused to the building.

The pair were finally intercepted by Roads Policing Officers shortly after 2am on the A48, despite having fitted fake number plates to their getaway van.

Inside the vehicle, police discovered a “suspiciously large number” of golf clubs and bags, leading to the immediate arrest of the two men.

The duo, who initially gave fake names to officers, later confessed to the crimes, and all stolen items were successfully recovered and returned to the clubs.

At Swansea Crown Court, Boukhari was sentenced to two years and six months behind bars, while Dickey received a sentence of two years and eight months.

Detective Constable Kate Williams of Dyfed-Powys Police slammed the “brazen” actions of the pair, who targeted hard-working local business owners.

“Today’s result underlines the fact that if you travel into the Dyfed-Powys area to commit crime, you will be caught,” DC Williams warned.

Pendine man who plied teen with drink and drugs before raping her in caravan is jailed

Leon Kidner took the 15-year-old girl to a caravan in the seaside resort of Pendine, Carmarthenshire, on 13 June last year.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Kidner waited until she had fallen asleep before carrying out the attack.

Kidner, of Pendine, was charged with rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

He denied all three charges, forcing his victim to give evidence in court.

However, a jury convicted him of all three offences after hearing the evidence in the case.

Kidner appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday 3 March, where he was jailed for ten years.

Following the sentencing, the Crown Prosecution Service said Kidner had taken advantage of the situation for his own sexual gratification.

Samantha Mainwaring of the CPS said he had used his power over the girl to intoxicate her, making her even more vulnerable to his attack.

“These convictions result from the Crown Prosecution Service presenting strong evidence to the jury, rebutting Kidner’s claim that the sexual acts were consensual,” she said.

Ms Mainwaring also praised the victim for her bravery in coming forward and supporting the prosecution.

“The victim showed courage in reporting the offences and supporting the case. Through her strength this rapist has been brought to justice,” she added.

Dyfed-Powys Police’s investigating officer, Detective Constable Katie Rees, also paid tribute to the victim’s “profound courage”.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the victim in this case who showed profound courage from the very outset of the investigation, despite her young age,” she said.

DC Rees said the victim had shown “immense strength, character and resilience” and should be proud of how she had conducted herself throughout the investigation.

“It is thanks to her bravery that Leon Kidner will now spend a significant period in prison,” she added.

In addition to the ten-year jail term, Kidner was also made the subject of a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, and a restraining order was imposed for life.

Mount Pleasant man Yogesh Parmar, 35, jailed for 11 years after being found guilty of rape and coercive behaviour at Swansea Crown Court. Victim praised for bravery in coming forward. Judge also imposed 20-year restraining order.

#Swansea #SwanseaCrownCourt #SouthWalesPolice

https://swanseabaynews.com/mount-pleasant-man-jailed-for-11-years-after-rape-conviction/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/737603/ Chilling words boxing coach said to best friend after attacking him at cinema #Boxing #Courts #Crime #DyfedPowysPolice #Pembroke #Pembrokeshire #Premium #Sports #SwanseaCrownCourt #UK #UnitedKingdom

Police discover 20kg drugs haul in garden shed after getting tip-off https://www.allforgardening.com/1584641/police-discover-20kg-drugs-haul-in-garden-shed-after-getting-tip-off/ #courts #crime #garden #Portmead #Premium #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea #SwanseaCrownCourt

Swansea man jailed for 30 years for child sex offences

Adam Davies, 36, of Odo Street, Hafod, was described by a judge as a “manipulative and predatory” paedophile who posed a significant risk to children.

Offending spanned years

Swansea Crown Court heard Davies sexually abused two young girls on multiple occasions and repeatedly raped a young boy over a period of years. The offending first came to light in 2023 when one of the girls confided in someone she trusted about what had happened when she was younger. Police launched an investigation and further victims were identified.

When officers seized Davies’s laptop, they discovered indecent images of children, adding to the weight of evidence against him. Despite this, Davies denied all allegations and the case went to trial in October this year.

Convictions and sentence

Jurors found Davies guilty of a long list of offences, including rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and causing children to engage in sexual acts. He was also convicted of possessing indecent images of children.

Judge Catherine Richards said she had “no doubt” Davies was a dangerous offender who posed a significant risk of causing serious harm to children. She described him as “manipulative and determined” and told the court that his behaviour had left lasting scars on his victims.

Davies was handed a 30‑year extended sentence, comprising 26 years in custody followed by four years on licence. He must serve at least two‑thirds of the custodial term before the Parole Board considers release. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Police statement

Detective Constable Stacey Jones, South Wales Police, said:

“Adam Davies’s offending is some of the worst of its kind we have seen in Swansea. He disgustingly took advantage of multiple children to act out vile acts for his own depraved sexual pleasure.

“He is of an immeasurable danger to children, and the streets are far safer for young people now that he has been sent to prison for a hugely significant sentence. He showed no remorse and took no responsibility for what he has done.

“We pay tribute to the immense bravery of the victims who have come forward, and hope that they are now able to move on with their lives safe in the knowledge that Adam Davies cannot access them anymore.”

Support for survivors

South Wales Police said anyone affected by this case can contact them via 101, quoting reference 62WN0407323. Survivors of sexual abuse will be listened to, treated with dignity and respect, and supported throughout the judicial process.

Further information and details of support services are available on the South Wales Police website.

#adamDavies #childSexOffences #hafod #sentencing #southWalesPolice #swansea #swanseaCrownCourt

https://www.europesays.com/uk/571947/ Men travelled to Wales to carry out ‘planned and professional’ van raids #Britain #BuilthWells #Carmarthenshire #Courts #Crime #DyfedPowysPolice #GreatBritain #NewcastleEmlyn #Powys #SwanseaCrownCourt #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales

https://www.europesays.com/uk/397764/ Yodel delivery driver seriously injured in dog attack #Britain #Carmarthenshire #Courts #Crime #DyfedPowysPolice #GreatBritain #SwanseaCrownCourt #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #Whitland