A cage fighter from Llanelli named Shain Michael Strugnall pleaded guilty to possession of a knife. He had the knife during a revenge mission to confront a man he believed stole money from his home. When police arrived, a fight broke out between Strugnall and an officer. Strugnall has since apologized to police, expressed remorse for his actions, and said he is working to turn his life around by staying sober and attending a drug rehabilitation center. He hopes that a recent move to a new home with his partner and involvement in his community will help keep him from reoffending.

1. www.thisissouthwales.co.uk Llanelli Star, Wednesday, March 6, 2013 9LSA-E02-S2
Cage fighter
with knife says
sorry to police
A LLANELLI cage fighter
caught with a knife on a
revenge mission has told of
his efforts to beat drugs and
turn his life around.
Last week, Shain Michael
Strugnall pleaded guilty to
possession of a blade at the
town’s Clos St Paul when he
appeared before magistrates.
But now Mr Strugnall has
hailed the police for doing their
job and expressed remorse for
his actions.
Mr Strugnall — who suffers
from paranoia and
schizophrenia — was arrested
after he went looking for a man
who, the court was told, he
believed had taken cash from
his home.
After the police arrived the
situation turned violent and
the 25-year-old admits he ended
up in a fight with an officer.
He said that he regrets his
decision.
“I do admit I did react in the
wrong way, but I felt abused,”
he said.
“I felt as if someone had
taken my niceness and used it
as a weakness. That’s why I
reacted the way I did.
“I’ve realised where I went
wrong, received my
punishment and I am working
well with the probation.
“All I can do is just keep my
head down.”
He added: “I did apologise to
the police officer afterwards.
“At the end of the day I think
being a police officer is hard
enough and if it wasn’t for
them the world would be a
worse place.”
Mr Strugnall, formerly of
Myrtle Terrace, has battled
addiction in the past but says
he is no longer taking drugs.
“I am completely clean of
drugs now,” he said.
“I have been completely
sober for the last two weeks. I
was on class As but I have been
clean for three years now.
“I got diagnosed with bipolar
and schizophrenia and I am
medicated now.”
And he hopes a recent move
to a new flat in Pwll with his
partner Jade will help keep
him out of trouble.
“We were in a bit of a party
house before,” said Mr
Strugnall.
“We are comfortable now, not
in an erratic situation.”
Mr Strugnall is currently a
regular at Llanelli’s Chooselife
centre on Copperworks Road,
which provides friendly
support for drug addicts.
He says this is another step
in the right direction.
“I’m just keeping in touch
with Chooselife as much as I
can,” he added. “They keep me
busy during the day — I’m
training to be a chef.
“I volunteer down here as
much as I can. If there is
anything that needs doing I’m
the first one in there.
“We want to settle down and
have kids, and get into a
routine of working.”
He added: “I will be looking
at being part of the community
again, rather than just taking
from the government and
doing drugs and things like
that.”
G Star reporter Chris Carra
spends time with the
volunteers at Chooselife — see
page 29.
By Chris Carra
@ForzaSwansea
chris.carra@swwmedia.co.uk
01554 745321
@
Disney trip
for Abigail
A TEENAGE singing sensation will be taking
the stage at Disneyland Paris later this year.
Dafen’s Abigail Davies is one of just 50
singers from across Wales to have been
accepted into the Stagecoach National Choir
of Wales, which will be performing at the
theme park in September.
The 16-year-old is also part of the Troupe, a
group which is the subject of a new BBC
documentary after members sang to a
star-studded audience at the Celtic
Manor.
And the talented youngster is
looking to complete her grade eight
singing exam after recently gaining
a distinction at grade six.
Abigail, who is in Year 11 at St
Michael’s School, said: “I love
music — I play the violin and
guitar and piano as well.
“I’ve always wanted to be
a doctor so I am going to go
for that, but I know I want
to do something with
music, like teaching
singing to kids.
“I’m looking forward
to going to Disneyland
— the people who train
their singers are
going to help us, and
we get free passes for
the rides!”
I Abigail Davies, 16,
from Llanelli, who
will be singing at
Disneyland Paris.
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