Four men charged after death of 22-year-old

Liam Woolford, 22, died following an incident on Poets Close in Rhydyfelin

Four men have appeared in court charged in connection with the death of a 22-year-old man.

Liam Woolford, from Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, died after an incident on Poets Close, Rhydyfelin, in the early hours of 23 September.

Jake Staples, 24, of Porth, was charged with murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent, conspiracy to wound another and possession of a bladed article.

Abeyshake Karunanithy, 22, of Tonteg, and Ethan Ross, 23, of Rhydyfelin, have been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to wound another and possession of bladed article, while Jesse Wandera, 30, of Rhydyfelin, has been charged with conspiracy to wound another.

All four men appeared separately via video link at Newport Crown Court and spoke only to confirm their names.

They are expected to stand trial in March 2026 and will be held in custody until the next hearing on 31 October.