News

Mum of four feels ‘betrayed’ following partner’s death

Published

5 years ago

November 23, 2018

Andrew Rodick: Died in India in 2014

A HAVERFORDWEST woman says she feels she has been betrayed by the UK Government, after her partner died at the age of 40 in suspicious circumstances in India in April 2014.

Alison Barker, a mother of four, says the Foreign Office did not support her after she was told her partner, Andrew Raymond Rodick, was found ‘badly decomposed’ wrapped inside a bed sheet, blue plastic bags and carpet next to a marketplace in New Dehli.

He had been in India for two months, which included stays in Mumbai, Goa and New Dehli.

Following a post-mortem, it was found that Mr Rodick died from deep injuries on his head and face, which were inflicted by heavy objects. It was suspected he was tortured before he died, as he was found with his hands and feet tied together, and there were burns found on his arms, head and face, thought to have been caused by cigarette stubs and a lighter.

He was identified by his passport, which was found ‘badly damaged’ inside his pocket.

Indian police first treated his death as potentially drug related, however said they didn’t have ‘any clues’, except that they knew more than one person had been involved in his murder.

Ms Barker says that she felt pressured by the Foreign Office to agree to his cremation in India, stating they were ‘absolutely useless’. She also had to pay a £1,500 bill in order to have his body cremated, and have his ashes returned to the UK.

Alison Barker: Still struggles to talk about Andrew’s death

Speaking to the BBC, she said: “I was by myself with three children and there was no help, nobody came round and said ‘this is what you have to do now’. I was grieving and making an attempt to be strong for my children.”

Ms Barker found out about her partner’s death when two Dyfed-Powys Police officers attended her home address to inform her. She obtained a partial copy of the post-mortem report two years later, after appealing to local MP, Stephen Crabb to help her. However, it didn’t detail any toxicology results or the cause of his death.

She was sent the remaining details from the post-mortem last week – more than four years after her partner was murdered. However, it stated that Mr Rodick passed away after being poisoned by pregbalin: A drug used to treat epilepsy and anxiety.

The drug was found in Mr Rodick’s jeans pocket.

Ms Barker has said she does not accept the findings of the report given to her by the Foreign Office, and is upset and angry that it took her so long to receive the report in the first place.

At the time Mr Rodick died, Ms Barker was left with twin 9-year-old girls and a 7-year-old son. She had been in a relationship with Mr Barker for 12 years.

She said: “He loved his children. He was a family man, he loved walking the dog, music trips. He made my autistic son a bow and arrow out of sticks.

“He would take the kids swimming and took them to Legoland – he did a lot of ‘dad and son’ things, putting him on his shoulders and taking him to the park.”

A friend of Mr Rodick’s, Mr Tynan, added: “He was always really nice to me. We spoke on Facebook but I didn’t know why he had decided to go over to India. For this to happen to him is really disgusting. I can’t believe anyone would do anything to someone like that.

“When you don’t know someone and you hear news like this you think ‘how tragic, but when you know that person it hits you a lot harder.

A spokesperson from The Foreign Office said: “Where a death has occurred in violent circumstance, we will raise our interest with the local authority in the relevant country and request regular updates on any investigation or trial.

“We welcome feedback from British nationals who have received consular assistance and use that feedback to improve our services and staff training so we can provide the best possible assistance.”

Entertainment

Classic car extravaganza returns to Carew Castle this Bank Holiday

Published

3 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ONE of the highlights of the Pembrokeshire calendar is set to return this Bank Holiday, as Carew Castle prepares to host some of the finest classic and vintage cars, motorbikes, and military vehicles from across South Wales.

The Carew Castle Car Show will take place on Monday 6 May, with plenty of entertainment for all the family, including music throughout the day by local folk band ‘Razor Bill’, and a variety of vintage funfair rides and games from Pembrokeshire Attractions.

For an extra cost of £2, younger visitors will also be able to take part in a Brilliant Birds Trail around the Castle

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We’re delighted to host the ever-popular Car Show at Carew for another year. It’s a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts and families alike to admire the beauty of classic and vintage vehicles in an equally impressive vintage setting.

“There is no need to book tickets in advance – just turn up on the day to make the most of this fantastic event.”

Nest Tearoom will be open from 10am onwards to serve bacon rolls and hot drinks, with the usual mouth-watering selection of homemade lunches and cakes available throughout the rest of the day. Visitors are welcome to explore the majestic Castle and Tidal Mill during their visit, to find out more about the events and colourful characters that shaped this site’s fascinating history.

While the car show itself is currently at capacity and no longer accepting new entries, anyone interested in securing a spot for their vehicle on the reserve list are encouraged to register their interest by following the link at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/carew-castle/events-at-carew-castle/spring-events.

Carew Castle Car Show will take place from 10am-3pm with the Castle open from 10am-4.30pm. Normal admission charges apply: Adults £8, Concessions £7, Children £6 and a Family Ticket (two adults and two children) £25.

Please note the event may not take place in the event of bad weather. For more information visit www.carewcastle.com or follow Carew Castle’s Facebook page (Carew Castle and Tidal Mill) for event updates.

To learn about other events that are taking place in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this Bank Holiday and throughout the rest of the year, go to www.pembrokeshirecoast.com/events.

Crime

Plea hearing for man accused of assault and strangulation

Published

11 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST man is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, April 26) charged with assaulting and strangling a woman

Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences last month, and is in Swansea Crown Court today to make his plea, after the local court declined jurisdiction.

Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23 and caused her actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of strangling her.

The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25 and Torkington has been remanded in custody since then.

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Community

Suspected explosive device found on west Wales beach

Published

18 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Luke Sinclair

NEW QUAY Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked at 03:50 this morning following a report of suspected washed up Ordnance on Llanrhystud beach. Following an assessment by the Army Bomb Disposal Team it was discovered the item was not Ordnance. It was reported with good intent and thankfully there was no risk to the public.

Reporting of ordnance – Always be mindful of objects you may discover on our beaches.

Our shores are filled with history, but remnants from the past can still sometimes wash up on our shores today.

If you find something on the beach that’s an unusual size or shape, especially if it’s rusty, it could be an unexploded ordnance.

What should I do if I find something that looks unusual on the beach?

While it is very rare to find unexploded ordnance on a visit to the beach, bad weather and high tides can expose these objects. It’s important to be cautious, as ordnance comes in all shapes and sizes.

If you do come across something on the beach that you’re unsure of or suspect could be unexploded ordnance, please don’t touch it or move it. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard – we will take immediate steps with the relevant partner authorities to keep people safe and ensure the item in question is disposed of correctly.