Gang lured record producer to remote Carmarthenshire cottage to attack him in elaborate plot

Each of the men have been jailed for eight years and one month respectively for deliberately enticing the victim to a remote location, and once there subjecting him to significant violence and restraining him by handcuffs. 

Faiz Shah, 23, Mohammad Comrie, 23, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20, planned the crime on a Telegram group chat, where they discussed what items they would need to commit the crime and how to launder the money they intended to extort from the victim.

A cottage was rented and plans were made for escape routes if the police arrived.

The victim was a London-based Israeli-heritaged music producer and composer, who the men had invited to a cottage near Llanbydder in Carmarthenshire using the ruse that he was going to attend a music recording camp to work with other musicians, arranged by what he believed to be a legitimate music production and recording company.

A taxi was sent to collect the victim from his home address and bring him to the cottage. When the taxi arrived at the cottage on 26 August 2024, the victim and taxi driver entered the property and were immediately attacked by the three masked men.

The taxi driver managed to escape back to his vehicle but the victim was unable to escape and suffered extensive facial injuries as well as bodily bruises. 

The victim was handcuffed to a radiator, however when the gang left the room where they had detained him, the victim was able to escape by lifting his handcuffed hands up a pole and freeing himself from the location, and then ran out of the property, hiding in nearby bushes where he phoned his wife who alerted the police. 

He was taken to hospital as a result of the incident.

Dyfed Powys Police say the three men were located later that same evening following deployment of significant police resources, including a police helicopter, after police responded to reports of an assault at a property in the Brynteg area of Llanybydder.  They were hiding in the fields surrounding the property.  

All three were arrested and subsequently charged. They pleaded guilty to kidnapping on the first day of their trial at Swansea Crown Court on February 18.  The other counts the defendants were facing – unlawful wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent – were ordered to lie on file.

Prosecutor Craig Jones told the court the three men had hoped to extort money from Mr Kashti “who they perceived to be a wealthy individual”, but Mr Jones said there was “clear political and religious motivation” because of his nationality.

The victim, Itay Kashti said the attack felt like his “own personal October 7th” in reference to Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023 that triggered the ongoing war in Palestine.

In court on Friday (14 March) Mohammad Comrie was sentenced to eight years and one month imprisonment, Faiz Shah was sentenced to eight years and one month imprisonment, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime was sentenced to eight years and one month detention in a young offenders institution.  

Inspector Gareth Jones, Deputy Senior Investigating Officer from Dyfed Powys Police said: “It is clear that this offence has had a profound, harrowing and lasting impact on the victim and his family. This crime was thoroughly planned and was sophisticated in elements, including the use of false identities.

“At an early stage during their messaging to each other it was clear that their ultimate intention was the kidnap of the victim. The motivation appears two-fold, firstly, they clearly intended to extort money from the victim and additionally there was also political and racial motivation.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in bringing this case to court, particularly the investigation team for their tenacity and professionalism and the resolute and tireless efforts of the officers at the scene in locating the defendants after a prolonged and difficult search and recovering crucial evidence. Securing justice for the victim has been our priority throughout. 

“I would also like to thank the Community Security Trust (CST) for supporting the victim following this harrowing incident, which included providing both vital psychological and emotional support.

“This sentence today reflects the severity of this offence and the ordeal the victim suffered – and we hope it gives the victim a sense of justice. We thank him for his strength, bravery and patience whilst we carried out a thorough investigation into what was an extraordinary crime.”

Michael Cray, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “These defendants made detailed plans about what they were going to do, how to do it, and how to get away with the money.

“Despite their extensive plans, fortunately, they could not fulfil them. 

“This must have been truly terrifying for the two victims, who had no idea they were walking into a trap. 

“We would like to thank them for supporting this prosecution and hope the fact these offenders have been brought to justice will help them move forward with their lives.”

(Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police / CPS)

Paddleboard company owner admits manslaughter of four in River Cleddau incident

Nerys Lloyd, 39, a former police officer from Port Talbot was the owner and sole director of paddleboard tour company, Salty Dog Co Ltd.

She has today pleaded guilty to the gross negligence manslaughter of Paul O’Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, following their deaths in Haverfordwest Town Weir on 30 October 2021.

Lloyd also pleaded guilty to a Health and Safety at Work Act offence at Swansea Crown Court today.

The four victims were part of a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) paddleboarding tour – organised by Salty Dog Co Ltd – and Lloyd was present as an instructor on the day of the tragedy alongside fellow instructor Mr O’Dwyer, who was killed.

On 30 October 2021, there had been heavy flooding and severe weather warnings were in place. The river was running fast, and the weir was in an extremely hazardous condition.

As the group approached the weir, the three participants were pulled over the top into its base and became trapped.

Instructor Mr O’Dwyer, who initially exited the river safely, re-entered the water in an attempt to rescue the others but was immediately dragged over the top. The four victims died as a result of drowning/immersion.

An expert concluded that the tour should not have taken place while encompassing the weir and that Lloyd did not have a suitable qualification, and her planning and supervision was inadequate.

The prosecution followed a joint investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Lisa Rose, Specialist Prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said: “This was an avoidable tragedy. Despite going to check the state of the river before departing on the tour, Nerys Lloyd failed to inspect the weir.

“The majority of participants had limited experience, and Lloyd was not qualified to take paddleboarders out in such hazardous conditions.

“There was no safety briefing or formal risk assessments, and the participants were not advised that they would be traversing a weir or instructed on options to get out of the water.

“Final decisions to continue with the event were Lloyd’s decision, and as a result she held complete and entire responsibility.

“I hope these convictions provide some sense of justice for those affected and our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the victims at this time.”

(Lead image: RNLI)