News

Herald journalists to feature in true-crime documentary on local lockdown murder

Published

5 months ago

February 1, 2026

Episode of the BBC’s The Truth About My Murder spotlights the Herald’s in-depth reporting, community devastation, and the chilling sequence of events in Judith Rhead’s killing

THE EDITOR and deputy editor of The Pembrokeshire Herald—Tom Sinclair and Jon Coles—are key contributors to a major BBC documentary revisiting one of Pembrokeshire’s most shocking crimes: the murder of 68-year-old Judith Rhead by her son Dale Morgan during the 2021 Covid lockdown.

Titled A Killing in Lockdown, the episode from the forensic pathology series The Truth About My Murder (featuring experts like Dr. Richard Shepherd) becomes available on BBC iPlayer from Tuesday, February 3, 2026, with a BBC One airing scheduled for Tuesday 24 February 2026 at 10:40pm.

The programme reconstructs the brutal attack on Judith in her Market Street flat, Pembroke Dock. Her body was discovered on February 20, 2021, after a neighbor’s concern prompted police to force entry amid an open window in winter. Post-mortem findings revealed around 14 hammer blows to the head and asphyxiation via a plastic bag tied over her head, with defensive injuries indicating a desperate struggle.

The Herald’s coverage and contributors’ insights

The episode examines how The Pembrokeshire Herald reported the unfolding story under lockdown restrictions, from early suspicious-death coverage to the murder probe, Morgan’s disappearance and eventual arrest, his guilty plea in August 2021, and life sentence (minimum 21 years, 6 months) in October 2021 at Swansea Crown Court.

Tom Sinclair and Jon Coles provide insider perspectives on the newspaper’s role. Sinclair details the chronological build-up—what led to the attack, the prolonged concealment, and discovery.

“It was one of those stories that stopped people in their tracks,” Sinclair says. “Everyone knew Judith—she was warm, loved music and singing, and was deeply involved in the community. Lockdown meant no casual visits or check-ins; that isolation let this go unnoticed far too long.”

Jon Coles complements this by highlighting the day-to-day challenges and community pulse—gathering neighbour accounts, navigating restricted access, and capturing the profound local shock when the son’s involvement emerged. Their combined input underscores how local journalism bridged gaps during the pandemic, helping residents process the betrayal while feeding into the national forensic narrative.

Community shock and broader lessons

Hundreds defied restrictions to line streets for Judith’s funeral, reflecting her esteem and collective grief over a matricide enabled by isolation. The episode also explores rarer forensic/psychological aspects of such killings and pandemic vulnerabilities for the elderly.

For local viewers, seeing both Herald leaders on screen highlights the value of regional media in truth-seeking during crises. Stream from February 3 on iPlayer to witness how their reporting contributed to this sobering revisit.

Crime

Accused Milford Haven rapist to stand trial at Crown Court

Published

18 minutes ago

June 23, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates accused of rape and sexual assault.

James Kershaw, 46, is charged with raping a woman in Milford Haven between February 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

He also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with his finger between December 1 and December 30, 2012.

Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23) by video link and denied both charges.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Kershaw is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on July 24.

He was released on conditional bail, with the sole condition that he must not contact the complainant.

News

Bus overturns in major incident near Kidwelly

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

All passengers rescued as emergency services remain at scene

A BUS overturned on the A484 between Kidwelly and Ferryside on Tuesday (Jun 23), prompting a major emergency response and lengthy road closures.

The incident happened shortly after 12:20pm near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

Emergency services, including firefighters from Kidwelly, Carmarthen and Tumble, were sent to the scene following reports of a serious collision involving the bus.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all passengers were safely removed from the vehicle.

A spokesperson said: “All passengers have been safely removed from the bus and are receiving appropriate care.”

A rest centre has been established at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly, where welfare arrangements are being made for those involved.

The scale of the incident led Dyfed-Powys Police to declare a major incident earlier in the day, with officers urging members of the public to avoid the area.

The A484 remains closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog while emergency services continue their response and carry out investigations into the cause of the crash.

Police, ambulance and fire crews remain at the scene.

Motorists are being advised to find alternative routes and are warned that the road is expected to remain closed for a considerable time.

Emergency services have also issued advice for drivers caught in congestion during the hot weather, urging people to stay hydrated, keep vehicles ventilated and never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets inside parked vehicles.

The cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

News

Major incident declared after bus crash in Carmarthenshire

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Emergency services at scene as A484 closed near Parc y Bocs

A MAJOR incident has been declared in Kidwelly following a collision involving a bus.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were dealing with the incident on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

The road has been closed between the Kidwelly roundabout and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are being urged to find alternative routes.

Emergency services are at the scene, and members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area until further notice.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Officers are dealing with a major incident in Kidwelly, following a report of a collision involving a bus on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout.

“The road is closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are asked to find alternative routes.

“Emergency services are on scene and members of the public are asked to stay away from the area until further notice.”

More information is expected to follow.