Swansea uncle and nephew convicted over fatal street killing of Joshua Norman

Paul Rosser, 49, from Gendros, was found guilty of murder, while his nephew Joshua Cullen, 32, from Waun Wen, was convicted of manslaughter following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The convictions follow a South Wales Police investigation into the fatal attack, which took place on Cwm Road inm Hafod at around 12.08pm on 11 September 2024. Emergency services arrived to find Joshua Norman with a catastrophic neck injury. Despite the efforts of paramedics and passers-by, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Violent End to a Drug-Fuelled Morning

According to evidence presented during the trial, Rosser stabbed Norman in the throat using a broken Thatcher’s Katy cider bottle, severing his carotid artery. The three men — Rosser, Cullen, and Norman — had spent the previous night drinking and smoking crack cocaine at Norman’s flat on Matthew Street.

On the morning of the killing, they were seen travelling in a black Audi A3, withdrawing cash and allegedly purchasing drugs in Port Tennant. Witnesses later saw the men walking through Hafod, where an argument broke out. Rosser smashed the bottle and used it to stab Norman, while Cullen was accused of encouraging or assisting the attack2.

Both men walked away, leaving Norman to bleed to death on the pavement. Rosser was arrested less than an hour later on the same street, covered in blood and with facial injuries

“A Beautiful Person Whose Smile Lit Up Any Room”

In a tribute released by South Wales Police, Joshua’s family described him as a “loving son, father, brother, and uncle” whose “smile and sense of humour would light up any room and any heart”.

They added:

“We will miss him terribly and ask for privacy at this time to grieve the loss of our dear son.”

Investigation Praised for Swift Action

Detective Chief Inspector Lianne Rees, who led the investigation, said:

“What happened to Joshua Norman was a tragic incident, taking place during broad daylight. I’d like to thank the investigation team, CPS and prosecuting counsel who worked hard to ensure justice was brought.”

She also paid tribute to the passers-by who tried to save Joshua’s life, acknowledging the trauma they experienced.

Sentencing Ahead

Both Rosser and Cullen will be sentenced in due course.

The case has prompted renewed calls for better intervention strategies for individuals at risk of violent behaviour due to addiction and social isolation.

#Gendros #Hafod #manslaughter #murder #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea #WaunWen

Schizophrenic Swansea mum given hospital order after killing 6-year-old son

42-year-old Karolina Zurawska, from Gendros was given a hospital order under section 37 of the mental health act after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of her six-year-old son and the attempted murder of her father in an incident in Gendros, Swansea, on Thursday, 29 August last year.

A plea on the grounds of diminished responsibility was accepted by the prosecution based upon reports from forensic psychiatrists.

In a statement issued by South Wales Police, family members described Zurawska’s 6-year-old son Aleksander as a “very kind child” who “loved playing with his little sister and playing with his dog, Daisy.”

They said he was “very clever and mature for his age” and spoke in both English and Polish, “often correcting his parents with their English if they got words wrong”.

Staff and pupils at Whitestone Primary School in West Cross were “devastated” by his death, headteacher Bethan Peterson said, adding that he had been “extremely loved and popular amongst his peers, staff and all who knew him”.

At Swansea Crown Court, Zurawska also admitted to the attempted murder of her father, 67-year-old Krzysztof Siwy.

Sentencing Zurawsky to an indefinite hospital order, Judge Paul Thomas QC said: “The often overused word of tragic does not begin to reflect the awfulness that happened that day to Alexander. Those who know you and your relationship with Alexander have described you as a doting, loving, caring mother.”

“You are not a wicked mother, far from it – you are a mother whose mental state deteriorated over your care of Alexander. You did something to Alexander that would never have entered your mind had it not been for your mental state.”

“I entirely agree with the three psychiatrists that this is a case that calls not for punishment but for ongoing lifelong medical help. Even if you do recover mentally, the burden of what happened will always be with you.”

“I also have a duty to the wider public. I must ensure that you are only released back to society if and when there is no risk to anyone else, that day, of course, many never come.”

“I can not end without mentioning Alexander. His brief life was one of bravery, battling health issues. It was a life filled with love given and received, and for those who knew him, he will never be forgotten, and they will never stop loving him.”

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Davies from South Wales Police said: “This was a tragic and deeply distressing incident which has had a profound effect on the whole community in Gendros, as well as the staff and pupils at Aleksander’s school. They will all have been devastated to hear of Aleksander’s death.

“The local community in Gendros were outstanding in terms of their support for our investigation at what was an extremely trying time.

“Our thoughts remain with Aleksander’s family and friends.”

#attemptedMurder #featured #Gendros #manslaughter #mentalHealth #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea

Extended sentence for convicted killer after knifepoint robbery

54-year-old Brynley Stephens, from Gendros, carried out the attack at a property on Maesglas Road, forcing his victim to hand over his wallet, car keys and mobile phone.

During the incident, Stephens pressed a knife to the victim’s neck, which left the victim with an injury.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Stephens has 21 previous convictions for 95 offences including manslaughter, multiple assaults, making threats to kill, aggravated burglary and weapons offences.

During a sentencing hearing, Judge Geraint Walters told Stephens: “You have had the capacity to kill in the past. It does not seem to have diminished”.

Judge Walters said that Stephens had “a propensity towards committing acts of violence” and posed a substantail risk to the public.

Stephens was handed an extended sentence of eight years in prison as a dangerous offender, comprising five years in prison followed by an extended three-year licence period. The parole board will be required to determine if Stephens is safe to be released after serving two-thirds of the custodial portion of his sentence.

Stephens was also given a 10-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victim.

Detective Sergeant Richard Jones from South Wales Police said: “Brynley Stephens carried out this senseless attack with no warning. The victim could have been any member of the public, making him an incredibly dangerous man.

“He has received a significant sentence for committing this robbery, which is due to his appalling previous record and character.

“It is reassuring to know that a person like him will now be behind bars for a significant amount of time, and will be unable to enact any further crimes against unsuspecting victims.”

#Gendros #knifeCrime #robbery #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea

The six-year-old boy passed away at a property on Cwm Du Close on Thursday August 29.

Ms Zurawska, from Gendros, has been charged with murder in connection with Alexander’s death. She has also been charged with attempted murder in connection with an incident involving a 67-year-old man earlier on the same date.

She will appear at Swansea Magistrates’ Court today (Monday September 2).

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

Chief Superintendent Chris Truscott, divisional commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said:

“This is a distressing incident which has been a tremendous shock to the local community.

“The local community has been outstanding in their support of our investigation, and we would like to thank all of them for their patience during what has been a traumatic few days.

“A police presence will be retained in the local area over the coming days in order to provide advice and reassurance.

“Our thoughts are with Alexander’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Bethan Peterson, Head Teacher of Whitestone Primary School, said:

“We’re devastated to learn of the tragic death of Alexander. Alexander was a delightful, determined little boy whose tenacity and positive demeanour ensured his success in all he undertook.

“He was an extremely loved and popular boy amongst his peers, staff and with all who knew him. He will be sadly missed.

“Appropriate support will be made available to children, staff and all those within our school community who are affected.  We would ask that our school community’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.”

The following is a tribute from Alexander’s family.

“Alexander was a very kind child.

“He loved playing with his little sister and playing with his dog ‘Daisy’.

“Alexander was always well behaved and never naughty.

“He was very clever and very mature for his age. He had great understanding of facts.

“Alexander was always helpful. Always eager to assist with cooking and cleaning.

“Alexander spoke both English and Polish and would often correct his parents with their English if they got words wrong.

“He was amazing.”

The family would like to express their gratitude to all the Emergency services who have been involved in this tragic event.

They would also like to request privacy at this difficult time.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/02/gendros-woman-charged-with-murder-of-six-year-old-boy/

#childMurder #Gendros #SouthWalesPolice

A small local community is in shock after a woman was arrested on suspicion of murder after a six-year-old boy was found dead at a house in Gendros, Swansea.

Emergency services were called to Cwm Du Close at 8:30pm on Thursday, August 29.

An incident room has been set up and the investigation is being led by the force’s Major Crime Investigations Team.

South Wales Police confirmed on Friday afternoon that the child was a six-year-old boy.

A spokesperson for the force said:

“We can confirm that the child who died in last night’s incident is a six-year-old boy. Specialist officers are providing support to family members. The woman arrested remains in police custody.”

Chief Superintendent Chris Truscott, divisional commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said:

“This is a distressing incident which will be a shock to the local community.

“Detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the child’s death and there will be an increased police presence in the area to offer reassurance to local residents.

“Speculation on social media is unhelpful and will cause distress to those affected by this incident at an already difficult time.”

Councillor Mike Durke, who grew up in Gendros and represents the Cockett ward on Swansea Council said:

“This is something that can’t be rationalised. It is a safe and settled community.

“As a councillor, myself and my two local colleagues, we want to assure local residents that we are here to help in any way we can,” he said.

“We are talking about a strong community. And while I don’t think anyone can remember any such tragedy happening previously, we have had difficult times, and we will, as we always have done, help each other through what is a most emotional and distressing incident.”

Torsten Bell, the MP for Swansea West, said:

“It is heartbreaking news that had left people across Swansea shocked.

“All our thoughts are with those affected and the community wrestling with the tragic loss of a child.”

[Lead image: Media Wales]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/08/31/gendros-woman-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murder-after-childs-suspicious-death/

#featured #Gendros #murder #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaWest