Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Tuesday, April 16) (2024)

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That's all for today - join us again tomorrow morning for more breaking news in Wales and beyond.

Kate Garraway issues plea for help after getting 'unsettling post' for Derek Draper

Kate Garraway has made a desperate plea for help after receiving "unsettling post making demands" addressed to her late husband. The Good Morning Britain presenter, 56, reached out to Haringey Council on X (formerly Twitter) after struggling for 10 days to speak to someone about her husband Derek Draper's death.

In her public message, Kate explained how she had been on hold for almost 50 minutes trying to get through to the correct department to discuss the "unsettling post making demands" which Derek can "obviously not respond to" following his death in January, reports the Mirror.

Read more here.

A494 in Gwynedd closed due to accident

The A494 IN Gwynedd is shut due to an accident, according to traffic monitoring service Inrix. In an update at 8.47pm, Inrix said: "A494 in both directions closed due to accident from the Llandderfel turn off (Gwynedd) to B4402 (the Llandderfel turn off, Bethel)."

How every Welsh MP voted on plan to ban smoking for anyone born after 2009

MPs have backed a plan to stop anyone born after 2009 being able to legally smoke. The bill, championed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is a huge intervention in public health and saw opposition from within his own party, including from several cabinet ministers.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will apply in Wales, would ensure anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettes. It makes the sale of tobacco products, rather than the act of smoking, illegal.

Read more here.

Armed police to be at the Principality Stadium for "routine exercise"

Armed police officers will be at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Tuesday (April 16) evening - but there isn't any cause for concern. South Wales Police has said it will be supporting a "routine training exercise" at the venue which has been planned for "some time".

In a statement issued ahead of the exercise, the force said there might be "some noise" from the activity but there is expected to be "minimal disruption to the public". It said the operation is not in response to "any recent incident, intelligence or threat" and that it is deploying armed officers "as a precaution".

Read more here.

Evri issues parcel deliveries update after major blaze at depot

Evri has reassured customers after a major blaze broke out at one of its depots. Flames along with thick smoke could be seen pouring from the building at Avonmouth.

Avonmouth Fire and Rescue reported they were attending the blaze on Tuesday at 2.30pm. It is not clear at what time the fire broke out however videos began to appear on social media at around 1.30pm.

Read more here.

Young man branded 'legend' after cheeky gesture spotted on Google Street View

A young man has been hailed a "legend" after he cheekily flashed his backside at a Google Street View car. The young man spotted the oncoming vehicle as it passed through Bethesda in Gwynedd before he spun around, dropped his shorts and did a full moonie, ensuring his posterior was recorded for all to see.

The incident, which took place in July 2023, only recently came to light when it was shared on a local Facebook group. The image means anyone looking for directions on a certain road in Bethesda might now be in for a bit of a surprise, reports North Wales Live.

Read more here.

Health board 'failings' contributed to death of man killed by his own son

Health board failings contributed to the death of a man who was killed by his own son after he absconded from hospital, a coroner has said. Retired doctor Kim Harrison - a renowned chest consultant - was beaten to death by his son Daniel after the 38-year-old absconded from Neath Port Talbot Hospital and went to the family home in the Swansea Valley in March, 2022.

Dr Harrison suffered catastrophic head and neck injuries in the attack and subsequently died in hospital. Previous stages of an inquest into his death heard details of a review carried out by Swansea Bay University Health Board following complaints by the Harrison family.

Read more here.

Young man who died hours after arrest 'may have suffered sudden heart failure'

A 24-year-old man who died hours after spending time in police custody may have died from sudden heart failure, a forensic pathologist has told an inquest into his death. The hearing at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court, which is looking into the death of Mohamud Hassan, also heard he had suffered injuries consistent with “a struggle or scuffle”.

Mohamud died on the afternoon of Saturday, January 9, 2021, at a flat on Newport Road, Cardiff, where his friend lived. He died the day after he was arrested for an alleged breach of the peace by South Wales Police officers.

Read more here.

Heavy traffic on M4 due to broken down horsebox

There is currently heavy traffic on the M4 Westbound from junction 28 A48 (Tredegar Park) to junction 29 A48(M). Inrix reports that this is due to an earlier broken down horsebox on the road.

There is also traffic in both directions because of an earlier hold-up, the traffic service says.

The devastating amount of damage a single candle caused to a Cardiff home

A Cardiff home was badly damaged after a fire caused by a single candle broke out. Multiple crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze on Pentyrch Street in Cathays shortly after midday on Sunday, April 14.

A picture has been released by the fire service showing the scale of damage to one of the rooms in the property, caused by the tealight candle. Items in the room are burnt beyond recognition, while the ceiling appears to have completely collapsed.

Read more here.

Woman sexually assaulted teenage boy

A woman who sexually assaulted a teenage boy has been spared an immediate custodial sentence. Delyth Davies, 36, was accused of committing two counts of sexual assault against the teenager in Llangefni, Anglesey.

Davies was also alleged to have incited the boy to engage in sexual activity. She was sentenced on Tuesday at Caernarfon Crown Court.

Read more here.

'Human bones' found at Welsh beauty spot after castle wall collapses

Suspected human remains have been discovered following the collapse of an ancient stone wall at a scenic location in Wales. The area around Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan, famed for its use as a backdrop in television series like Doctor Who and Poldark, was cordoned off by police after coastal path walkers came across the bones, thought to be human.

The fallen wall once marked the perimeter of Dunraven Castle, which saw demolition in 1963. A statement from South Wales Police read: "Police were called at around 7pm on Tuesday April 9 after bones were discovered near Dunraven Bay in Southerndown. The bones will be extracted and sent for analysis. The area is currently cordoned off for examination and will likely remain for a few days."

Read more here.

The brilliant reaction a huge US TV star had to Welsh cakes

American TV star Adam Richman, most famous for tackling eating challenges in Man v Food, visited Wales in a new show and tried his first ever Welsh cake, describing them as “fantastic”. He visited Fabulous Welshcakes, opposite Cardiff Castle, to sample the iconic treats on his series Adam Richman Eats Britain.

“This puts the traditional scone in a headlock and goes ‘why are you hitting yourself’,” he said. He even loved the “comforting” smell of them which he compared to making sugar cookies with his mum.

Read more here.

Police hunting for 'dangerous individual' after woman killed in crash

Police are appealing for information to locate a "dangerous individual" following a fatal crash in Merthyr Tydfil. South Wales Police has said that they are looking to find 29-year-old Cameron Jones from Merthyr in connection with the collision which happened on Swansea Road in the town on Friday, April 5.

25-year-old Demi Mabbitt died as a result of her injuries sustained in the collision. She has been described by her family as a "beautiful daughter".

Read more here.

Lanes reopened and traffic easing following previous broken down vehicle on A470

All lanes open and traffic easing, with broken down vehicle removed on the A470 Southbound from Aber Cynon Roundabout to Navigation Park in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

One lane closed and queuing traffic due to broken down vehicle on A470 in Rhondda Cynon Taff

There is one lane closed and queuing traffic due to broken down vehicle on the A470 Southbound from Aber Cynon Roundabout to Navigation Park ub Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Road in Pembrokeshire closed and delays in the area due to accident

Bulford Road in both directions is currently closed and there are delays in the area due to accident from A4076 Milford Road (Johnston) to Broad Haven turn off (Tiers Cross) in Pembrokeshire.

Man airlifted with 'multiple severe injuries' after waterfall incident

A walker was airlifted with 'multiple severe injuries' after a fall at an Eryri waterfall. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, saw rescue teams swiftly respond to the scene. Read more here.

Police appeal for witnesses following tragic death of 25-year-old woman

South Wales Police has issued an appeal after a 25-year-old woman died following a road traffic collision on Swansea Road in Merthyr Tydfil on Friday, April 5.

Demi Mabbitt, from Aberfan, was described as a "beautiful daughter" by her family. You can read the full tribute here.

South Wales Police has confirmed that its serious collision unit are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who may have any CCTV footage of the incident – or driving beforehand – to get in touch.

The collision involved a single car, a white Audi S3, which was travelling along Swansea Road from Trago Mills and in the general direction of the A465.

Police have asked potential witnesses to get in contact and quote reference 1420-050424, using one of the following means:

• Live Chat
• Our online form
• Email: swp101@south-wales.police.uk
• Call 101

Slow traffic on the A4067 in Swansea

There is slow traffic on the A4067 Mumbles Road southbound from Fairwood Road (West Cross) to B4593 Newton Road (Oystermouth Square, Mumbles) in Swansea.

Village school to be transformed into cafe, community and business hub

A former village school in Carmarthenshire is to be transformed into a community, business and wellness hub and cafe. The school in Llanybydder dates from Victorian times and was shut for years before being bought in 1997 by Llanybydder Old School Community Centre, a charity. A small gym was opened and some community events take place there.

Read more here.

Woman suffers life-changing injuries after being hit by car in GP car park

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses following a crash in a doctor's surgery car park in Monmouthshire which left a 79-year-old woman with life-changing injuries. Gwent Police said the incident happened at Gray Hill Surgery in Caldicot at around 11.25am on Saturday, April 13.

Read more here.

Woman sexually assaulted in town centre during middle of the afternoon

A man "forced himself" upon a woman in a town centre and sexually assaulted her in a doorway near a popular pub, a court has heard. Sean Nolan was seen by a female passer-by pleasuring himself during the incident.

Read more here.

The village down a quiet country lane with a ford and pub that's just been named poshest place to live

This charming little village feels like it's in a hidden valley all of its own. With a population of just under 750 (which has been largely unchanged in ten years), driving down the long, narrow road to Llancarfan feels a little bit like a step back in time.

Read more here.

Holidaymakers heading to Mallorca warned they face tough fines

Tourists heading to the Spanish island of Mallorca have been warned they could face tougher rules and new fines. The island is the latest to try to clamp down on tourism, with locals angry at the annual influx of holidaymakers.

Read more here.

Rugby news: WRU to appoint new coaches after cash windfall and announcement stuns rugby

The WRU with employ five new staff members around its struggling women's team after receiving a huge cash windfall.

Meanwhile, Leinster have announced the signing of All Blacks superstar Jordie Barrett in a deal that has stunned rugby.

Read the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, April 16 here.

Traffic on A473 in Rhondda Cynon Taff

According to Inrix, there are reports of queuing traffic in both directions from Efail Isaf turn off to Creigiau turn off on the A473 due to accident.

Slow traffic on M4 in Newport

There is currently slow traffic on the M4 eastbound from J24 A449 (Coldra) to J23A A4810 (Magor Services) in Newport.

Last day to register to vote

Tuesday, April 16, is the last day voters can register to vote for the Welsh police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections). Voters will have until midnight.

The vote will then be carried out on Thursday, May 2, with results announced on Friday, May 3.

This will be the first election in Wales where voters will need to present some sort of identification (ID), such as a passport or driving licence, before they can vote.

Voters can register online here.