Swansea man appears in court charged with attempted murder

A MAN has appeared in court charged with attempted murder.

Michael Richard Mathews appeared in the dock during a brief hearing at Swansea Crown Court.

Mathews, 43, is facing two charges of wounding two people with intent and a charge of attempted murder of a third person.

He is alleged to have stabbed three members of the same family at a home in Townhill Road, as they were enjoying a party with friends to celebrate the new year.

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Police were called to the house at around 3.35am on New Year's Day, following an incident which left a father and son — aged 44 and 24 — and a 39-year-old woman with injuries.

Mathews, of Gors Avenue, Townhill, is alleged to have stabbed Christian Strawbridge in the thigh and his father Andrew was also allegedly stabbed by Matthews, in the stomach and the leg.

At a previous hearing in front of Swansea magistrates, the court was told Mr Stawbridge senior's bowel and intestine had been "protruding" from a wound.

Andrew Strawbridge's wife Catherine was also allegedly stabbed by Matthews.

Huw Rees, representing Mathews, told the court his client had indicated to his legal team that he would enter a guilty plea if an alternative charge to the attempted murder charge was put to him.

Mr Rees said: "It's likely this defendant will indicate guilty pleas to three offences of wounding with intent, an alternative charge to the attempted murder.

"I have indicated that to the Crown and they will consider that position," Mr Rees added.

Prosecuting barrister Janet Gedrych told the court a plea hearing would take place on April 15.

Mathews, wearing a blue jumper and grey trousers, sat flanked by two security guards in the dock.

The Honourable Mr Justice Royce told Mathews he would remain in custody until the next hearing.