Peaceful eco-village home to notorious climate campaigner Swampy is rocked by acid attack - as suspect, 23, appears in court
- Jivan Dean, 23, was arrested over the alleged assault near Welsh town Llandeilo
A suspected acid attacker has appeared in court charged with an assault which has rocked a peaceful eco-village home to the climate campaigner known as Swampy.
Police were called to Tipi Valley - a community of Native American-style tents and eco-lodges near the Welsh town of Llandeilo – and launched a manhunt.
Officers searched for a suspect wanted for allegedly causing grievous bodily harm and throwing a corrosive substance. Jivan Dean, 23, was later arrested.
The 100-tent community in Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales, dates back to the mid-1970s - set up by hippies and Christians aspiring for an 'off-grid' lifestyle.
Among its most famous residents is Swampy - real name Daniel Hooper, 51 - who came to prominence in the 1990s for protests such as spending a week in a tunnel attempting to prevent work on the A30 road in Fairmile, Devon, in 1996.
Among the residents of Tipi Valley in Wales is the climate campaigner known as Swampy - real name Daniel Hooper, 51 - who came to prominence in the 1990s for eco-protests
Tipi Valley is a community featuring tents and eco-lodges near the Welsh town of Llandeilo
Suspect Jivan Dean (pictured) has appeared in court over an alleged acid attack on August 14
Police were called to Tipi Valley (pictured) after the alleged assault with a corrosive substance
The activist dubbed 'the human mole' also took part in other tunnel demonstrations such as opposition to a second runway at Manchester Airport in 1997.
Also that decade he played a leading role in treehouse occupations aimed at obstructing work on the Newbury Bypass, a nine-mile dual carriageway in Berkshire.
In recent years he has also been part of groups camping in treehouses and tunnels as part of 'Stop HS2' protests including in Euston Square Gardens in London, while also bringing up three children with his wife Clare at Tipi Valley.
Visitors to Tipi Valley say today's residents live scattered across the area in tipis, yurts and turf-roofed round huts.
Their community-bought fields stretch over 200 acres, with residents owning mobile phones and laptops powered by solar panels.
Some of the adults work as labourers and teachers in nearby villages, while others stay in the valley full-time and live an off-grid life collecting firewood, repairing walkways and tending to crops.
Police last week issued a photograph of suspects following the alleged acid attack and warned people to take care.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police has since expressed gratitude to the residents of Carmarthenshire for their cooperation.
They told residents: 'We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those in our local communities who assisted officers in locating the suspect.
'Your patience and understanding throughout this process have been invaluable.'
The victim of the alleged attack has not been named but locals have said he was still in hospital with serious burn injuries and could be scarred for life after the corrosive substance hit his face.
Jivan Dean, of no fixed abode, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and throwing a corrosive substance over a person
The rural community's fields stretch over 200 acres, with residents owning laptops and mobile phones powered by solar panels
Police last week issued a photograph of suspects following the alleged acid attack and warned people to take care
Daniel Hooper, who was once dubbed the 'human mole' as well as 'Swampy', became famous in the 1990s after spending a week in a tunnel in a bid to stop the expansion of the A30 in Devon
Mr Hooper also protested against the HS2 rail project in January 2021 (pictured)
Dean, of no fixed abode, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and throwing a corrosive substance over a person in connection with the incident.
Police said a man was arrested in the Llanelli area on Friday afternoon after a 'vigilant response' from the local community.
The police added: 'We would like to thank to all those in our local communities who assisted officers and for their patience and understanding.'
Appearing in court, Dean spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before being remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court on September 16.
Residents of Tipi Valley have told of feeling shocked by the acid throwing attack, which was described as an 'atrocity'.
It was suggested that two young men involved in the incident knew each other and were together at a 'social gathering' last Wednesday when the attack happened.
One resident said: 'I don't know what it was over. It was a social gathering but not a party or anything, just a group of young people together.
'These things happen everywhere - what is it with young people? Is it the food they eat, video games? I don't know.'
Another Valley dweller said: 'There must have been about 100 police here, forensics as well.
'They had to, it was an atrocity - a dreadful thing to happen here of all places.
Residents of Tipi Valley have told of being shocked by the alleged acid attack which was described as an 'atrocity'
According to residents, it happened during a 'social gathering' last Wednesday
'He legged it and there was a manhunt. We were being asked where he could be - everyone wanted him caught.'
The victim, who residents refused to name, was described as under 'close medical supervision' at the West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen.
One local said: 'He's still there five days later so that tells you how serious this is.
'I don't know what the corrosive substance is but it's not battery acid.'
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