News
S4C programme to focus on Pembrokeshire murderer John Cooper
IN THE THIRD programme of the S4C series Y Ditectif (The Detective) on Tuesday, 24 May, 9.30pm, Hinterland actress-turned-presenter Mali Harries meets the detective who was tasked with interviewing one of Wales’ most notorious killers.
Five years ago, on 26 May 2011, serial killer John Cooper was given four life sentences for the 1985 double murder of brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas, and the 1989 double murder of Peter and Gwenda Dixon.
It had taken two decades to convict the Milford Haven man, born in 1944, who had a history of crime and had previously been imprisoned for serious burglary and violent offences
In the programme, available with English subtitles, Mali finds out how the local man evaded the police for so long and how his appearance in 1989 on the popular game show Bullseye, hosted by Jim Bowen, in the long run helped Dyfed-Powys Police close the net on the cold, heartless killer.
The programme features a special interview with one of the officers given the responsibility of interviewing Cooper when he was arrested in May 2009.
In a revealing interview, DS Gareth Rees, discusses the techniques used to interview the murderer who will never be released on parole.
DS Rees, who retired last year as a detective sergeant in Cardigan, said: “I’ll never forget the feeling and what happened on the day I first came face to face with Cooper.”
DS Rees explains how “he had lived with these crimes” every day for many years as a police officer.
He said, “I will never forget the effect on the families – I met with several members of the families. I’m still in touch with the Dixons family and I meet up with them each year when they visit Pembrokeshire to remember their parents.”
News
UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner
FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.
An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.
The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.
In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”
Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Health
Rising trend of private healthcare use among friends and family in Wales
MORE than half of UK residents report having close family or friends who have used private healthcare services, according to the latest data from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN). In Wales, this figure is 58%, slightly above the UK-wide average of 55%. Meanwhile, 32% of Britons have used private healthcare themselves, with regions such as the East Midlands (64%) and Northern Ireland (59%) showing even higher familiarity with private healthcare options.
David Hare, Chief Executive of IHPN, said: “Private healthcare is becoming more mainstream, with people increasingly opting for private services to access healthcare more easily and quickly. Our findings highlight that most people in the UK know someone close who has used private healthcare, whether through insurance or self-pay. This demonstrates a shift toward private healthcare as a convenient and accessible option.”
The survey found that 45% of those choosing private healthcare did so because of long NHS waiting times, while 27% preferred the ease of booking private appointments. Around 20% receive private healthcare through work, and 17% believe private services offer higher-quality care. Accessibility is another key factor, with half of respondents agreeing that private healthcare is more accessible than NHS options.
Top Treatments Accessed Privately:
- Doctor consultation: 45%
- Diagnostic treatment (e.g., scans): 45%
- Other healthcare professional consultations: 35%
- GP appointments: 34%
- Minor operations (same-day discharge): 25%
- Major operations (overnight stay): 16%
- Ongoing serious condition treatment (e.g., cancer): 5%
IHPN’s Five Steps to Choosing Private Healthcare
If you’re considering private healthcare, IHPN suggests these key steps:
- Do Your Research: Consult inspection reports from national care regulators like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN). Scotland and Wales have independent inspectorates, available at hiw.org.uk and healthcareimprovementscotland.scot.
- Explore Payment Plans: Many providers offer flexible payment options, making private care more affordable.
- Find Local Options: Use resources such as ihpn.org.uk or phin.org.uk to locate private providers nearby.
- Take Control: It’s your choice; seek recommendations from friends and family or consult online ratings to find the right clinician or clinic. Your GP can also offer support.
- Book a Consultation: Before committing, schedule a consultation with a private provider to discuss treatment options and ask questions. Bring someone you trust if you wish, and take notes.
For more information on private healthcare options in the UK, visit ihpn.org.uk. For additional information, interviews, or case studies, contact Helen Trevorrow at 0794 000 9138 or [email protected].
Source: Statistics are from the “Going Private 2024” report by IHPN and Public First, based on a survey of 2,004 respondents across the UK.
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JK Rogers
January 8, 2018 at 10:38 am
John William Cooper is now behind bars for the rest of his life. The Police, the justice system and forensics are to be congratulated for putting him there, although I consider they took far too long in doing so. He has been convicted of four murders, sexual assaults and armed robbery, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. He terrorized the whole of Pembrokeshire, Family members and neighbours who knew his crimes were too scared to inform the Police for fear of their own lives. I believe if they talked now he could be convicted of a further five murders at least. The ratepayers of Pembrokeshire have paid out tens of millions of pounds in convicting John Cooper, I for one do not want to see any more money spent on convicting him for more murders, which I think could number in excess of 12 people. If it is any consolation to the families affected, we have now to assume that all sudden and unexplained deaths that have happened in Pembrokeshire from 1970 to 1998 could have been the work of this notorious serial killer.