Teenager carried meat cleaver in Rhyl in alleged ‘street robbery’

Phoenix Divers, 18, of Rhys Avenue, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article at Mold Crown Court today (March 1).

Divers, who was 16 at the time, denied a second charge of attempted robbery in relation to the same incident.

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The court heard that Divers allegedly attempted a “street robbery” of a security guard, Gareth Mills, on April 17, 2022.

An off-duty police officer witnessed the incident, and Divers was arrested shortly after, when he was found to be in possession of the meat cleaver.

He was not charged with these two offences until January 31, 2024.

His trial, likely to last two days, has been given a provisional starting date of August 14.

Divers has also previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery in relation to a separate incident in Rhyl on December 19, 2023.

He admitted another charge, of grievous bodily harm, and was convicted of a third charge, of possession of a bladed article, regarding that incident.

On the night in question, Divers was said to have been involved in an “ambush”, where he pursued a man while carrying a machete.

There was a large police presence during the time of the incident and a helicopter was spotted by residents, while one casualty was transferred to hospital.

A separate trial for robbery concerning that incident is due to start on May 28.

Judge Rhys Rowlands, presiding over today’s hearing, criticised the time it took for Divers to be charged with his alleged April 2022 offences.

He said: “I am quite shocked at what’s happened here. It’s completely wrong.

“This is quite an extraordinary state of affairs, and it’s totally unsatisfactory.

“There will be an explanation given, and it will be given in the public forum of the court when he comes to be sentenced.

“I’ve said my piece; I hope somebody else will have rather more to say.”