News
[UPDATED] Natasha Bradbury killed in a ‘savage attack’
JEALOUS and possessive Luke Jones “literally” beat Natasha Bradbury to death in her own home just hours after she confessed to sleeping with another man, a jury heard today.
Jones, aged 33, then waited until her body was “freezing cold” before calling for an ambulance to her flat in High Street, Haverfordwest.
Then, said Paul Lewis QC, prosecuting, he made up a story about her smashing up her own home in Imperial Court and falling over.
Jones, of Haven Drive, Milford Haven, denies murdering Miss Bradbury in the early hours of February 22 and is on trial at Swansea Crown Court.
Mr Lewis said Jones and Miss Bradbury, 27, had been in an “on off” relationship for three years.
In the days leading up to her death the relationship was under strain, he said, and text messages between them showed Jones was suffering emotionally.
Mr Lewis read to the jury dozens of messages that were “clearly personal and sent in the belief that no-one else would ever see them.”
“This is not like Facebook,” he added. “They are private messages between two people in a relationship.”
But they illustrated, alleged Mr Lewis, a man feeling jealous and possessive and willing to put emotional pressure on Miss Bradbury to keep their relationship going.
“It is for you (the jury) to assess. But we say that at times he expresses love, at others distress.”
On February 19 Jones, a pipe welder, told his supervisor he was unwell and made an emergency appointment with his doctor.
Jones told him he had “anger problems” and complained of losing his temper too easily and was referred to an anger management course.
“You might want to bear that in mind when considering the events that followed,“ Mr Lewis told the jury
Miss Bradbury spent the night of February 20 at the home of her friend Rhiannon Watts at Priory Road, Milford Haven, and Jones tried 26 times to contact her by telephone, including 13 attempts between 4am and 5am on the 21st.
Jones, said Mr Lewis, had already sent Miss Bradbury a text message reading, “I’m told you are seeing someone else.”
Mr Lewis said Miss Watts and Miss Bradbury had been joined that night by two brothers, Daniel and Darryl McGuckin. Miss Watts was in a relationship with Daniel and Miss Bradbury slept with his brother, Darryl.
The following morning, said Mr Lewis, Miss Watts told Jones what had happened and Miss Bradbury also contacted him to say, “Look, I’m sorry. I slept with someone last night.”
The following day Jones sent messages to friends, one of which read: “I can’t believe she’s done that. My Head’s in the shed but I’m passed caring. I loved her and gave her everything but what do I get.”
Jones later drove to Miss Bradbury’s home and between 8pm and 10pm she sent “sexual and flirtatious” messages with Darryl McGuckin.
“That takes us to ten pm,” said Mr Lewis. “What then?”
NEIGHBOURS HEARD LOUD NOISES
Neighbours of Natasha Bradbury listened to more than two hours of “shouting, swearing and the noise of a flat being smashed up” the night she was allegedly beaten to death by her on-off boyfriend.
But they only ever heard the voice of a man, said Paul Lewis QC.
That man, it is alleged, was Luke George Jones
Mr Lewis said Lisa Smith, who also had a flat in Imperial Court, High Street, Haverfordwest, heard the noises from between 11.30pm and about 2am and thought Flat A, where Miss Bradbury lived, was being smashed up.
Another neighbour, Timothy Down, became so concerned he thought about calling the police but decided “not to get involved.”
“He could hear swearing and shouting. But he heard only a man’s voice,” added Mr Lewis.
The prosecution argue that Jones was in the process of beating Miss Bradbury to death, or had already done so.
Because at 2.48am Jones told a 999 operator that Miss Bradbury was already “freezing cold and her lips are blue.”
Mr Lewis played to the jury a recording of the 15 minute telephone call, which ended when a paramedic took the telephone from Jones and told the operator, “We could do with the police.”
It took Jones at least twelve attempts to explain to ambulance control where he was.
The operator instructed Jones on how to try and resuscitate Miss Bradbury by placing one hand on top of the other on her breast bone and pumping hard.
The operator could be heard telling Jones, “Pump hard. One, two, three, four. Again, one, two, three, four.”
The operator was interrupted by an ambulance crew who had arrived in Imperial Court but could not find “Flat A,” which was, in fact, a four storey high building.”
Then, a voice could be heard asking Jones, “How long has she been lying there.”
Jones replied, “For about an hour.”
The paramedic took the ‘phone from Jones and asked, “Is that ambulance control”
The operator told him that ambulance control had gone off the line.
Paramedic:“We could do with the police here.”
Operator:“Do you want me to put you through?”
Paramedic, “No, we are dealing with a patient.”
JONES REFUSED TO ANSWER POLICE QUESTIONS
Luke Jones refused to answer questions from police investigating the “murder” of Natasha Bradbury at her flat in the centre of Haverfordwest.
And the prepared, written statements he later handed over were dismissed today as “nothing more than a pack of lies intended to avoid the consequences of what he had done to her.”
Paul Lewis QC told the jury that Jones “largely” answered none of the questions put to him by police.
But he later provided a number of prepared statements.
“He said he used no violence at all towards her and that she had suffered the injuries as a result of falling over,” added Mr Lewis.
“In essence, he appeared to be saying that her extensive injuries were accidental.
“If he maintains that account it will be for you to decide how it was she suffered the injuries that resulted in her death,” he told the jury.
“You will consider his intentions and his state of mind.”
Mr Lewis said the truth was that Jones had inflicted on Miss Bradbury a savage attack that had caused widespread and fatal injuries.
Miss Bradbury suffered extensive, blunt force injuries to her head, face and body. She suffered fractures to her neck and a wrist and there was evidence of injury to her brain.
Her heart had been bruised and there had been bleeding in the sack containing the heart.
There was also an “extensive” laceration to her liver that had led to massive bleeding into her stomach area.
“In a nutshell, he beat her to death in her own home,” added Mr Lewis.
NATASHA’S BLOOD STAINED FLAT
The jury was provided with a pictorial walk through of the blood stained flat where Natasha Bradbury met her death.
The prosecution say she died after a savage attack by her on-off boyfriend, pipe welder Luke Jones.
Despite the address, said Paul Lewis QC, prosecuting, it was in fact a four storey high building.
As the photographs unfolded, blood stained items came into view.
There were blood stains on the door leading to her bedroom, and blood on the lip of the sink in her en-suite bathroom.
A bin had been overturned and the contents strewn around the bathroom. “You will hear more about that, about the contents, in due course,” Mr Lewis told the jury.
There were bloody hand marks on the banister of the stairs leading to the second floor kitchen, where “shattered crockery etc” could be seen.
There was blood on the kitchen walls, on a tissue lying on a work surface and in the kitchen sink.
There was also blood on a discarded cigarette end.
Mr Lewis said there was more blood on the banister of the stairs leading to the third floor, which contained the lounge where Miss Bradbury’s body was found.
In that room there was blood on the floor and a wall in addition to “widespread” damage.
A glass table had been smashed, as had a television, and there was glass around Miss Bradbury’s body.
The trial, expected to last two weeks, will continue tomorrow.
THIS June, the Torch Theatre welcomes ADHD coach, speaker and former Wright Stuff presenter Hester Grainger to the stage with her powerful and uplifting show, ADHD: Unmasked.
Expect an evening of open conversation, laughter, and refreshingly honest insights into life with ADHD. In a supportive and inclusive space, Hester invites everyone—whether living with ADHD, supporting someone who is, or simply curious—to share stories, connect, and feel seen.
A well-known voice in the neurodivergent community, Hester is a regular podcast guest and media contributor. Her appearance on ADHD Chatter with Alex Partridge went viral, with clips from the episode racking up over 22 million views.
ADHD: Unmasked is an interactive, dopamine-filled evening where Hester shares how to embrace a fast-paced mind, practise self-compassion, and tap into the strengths of neurodiversity. She’ll also speak candidly about family life—raising two autistic/ADHD teenagers and living with her autistic/ADHD husband—as well as navigating ADHD in the workplace, friendships, relationships, and late diagnosis.
Audience participation is welcome, with opportunities to ask questions throughout. Whether you’ve received a diagnosis or are just starting your journey, this event offers connection, laughter, and a sense of belonging. You’ll leave feeling empowered, informed—and most importantly—reminded that you are not alone.
Hester began her media career on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, going on to work with Loose Women and Today with Des and Mel. She has featured on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, and hosted her own show on BBC Radio Berkshire.
She has appeared on leading podcasts such as ADHD Chatter, The Hidden 20%, and ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, and her writing has been published by HuffPost, Evening Standard, Reader’s Digest, and Arabian Business.
Alongside her husband Kelly, Hester co-founded Perfectly Autistic, a neurodiversity consultancy providing training, talks, and coaching to support neurodivergent employees. Both were diagnosed with ADHD in their forties, after Kelly’s earlier autism diagnosis.
Hester says: “I’m so excited to tour the UK talking about ADHD—something I’m truly passionate about. Being diagnosed in my forties finally gave me the answers I’d been searching for my whole life. With growing awareness, so many people have questions and want to understand more. This evening will be fun, entertaining, and honest—and nothing’s off limits.”
ADHD: Unmasked comes to the Torch Theatre on Friday 6 June at 7:30pm.
Tickets: £26
Book online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.
AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy from Pembroke Dock had the experience of a lifetime on Thursday night (Apr 4), when he was selected as the official mascot for Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Joey Williams, a pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School, walked out onto the pitch hand-in-hand with Spurs’ team captain, Son Heung-min, in front of a packed stadium and millions of viewers watching around the world.
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was part of Tottenham Hotspur’s official mascot programme. Joey, who recently turned eight, travelled to London with his family to take part in the unforgettable event.
His proud mum, KatieJane Solomon, told The Herald: “My son lives in Pembroke Dock and was chosen to be mascot for the Chelsea vs Tottenham game tonight. He walked out with Son Heung-min!”
“He’s a very big Spurs fan so we signed him up to be a member on there website about a year ago and he was very lucky selected at random last month.”
The Premier League clash ended in high drama, but for Joey, the biggest highlight was walking out alongside his football heroes.
Aston Martin and TVR among firms at risk from new US automotive import tax
WELSH exporters have been dealt a major blow after former US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on UK goods, including a 25% tariff on all automotive imports into the United States, sparking concern across Wales’ high-value manufacturing sector.
The announcement, made on April 2, also includes a 10% baseline tariff on all UK imports into the US, taking effect from April 5. These new charges come on top of previously announced 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium and automotive parts, with only a limited number of product exemptions such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
The United States is Wales’ second largest export market, accounting for 13.5% of total goods exports. In 2024, Welsh goods trade with the US was valued at £6.4bn, with £2.2bn in exports and £4.2bn in imports. Of the 3,188 Welsh firms that exported goods globally in 2024, over a third (33.4%) exported to the US.
While Welsh exports span sectors from steel to technology, some of the hardest-hit businesses could be those involved in high-end automotive manufacturing—a sector that Wales has been nurturing in recent years.
Luxury carmakers in the firing line
Aston Martin’s factory in St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, opened in 2020 to manufacture the DBX luxury SUV, has been a flagship project for Welsh industry. With many of these vehicles aimed at wealthy international buyers, particularly in the US, a 25% tariff could significantly hinder their competitiveness abroad.
Similarly, TVR’s long-awaited revival, with plans to produce its new Griffith sports car in Ebbw Vale, is expected to rely heavily on overseas sales, including to American car enthusiasts. Any additional import taxes on these cars could make them prohibitively expensive in the US market—potentially delaying investment and job creation in the Welsh factory.
Both brands represent the premium end of British automotive design and were supported by the Welsh Government as part of a strategy to attract advanced manufacturing jobs.
Welsh Government: “Far-reaching impacts”
Reacting to the announcement, Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, expressed “deep concern” about the likely effects of the tariffs.
“Whilst it is a small relief to see that the tariffs applied to UK imports are lower than those imposed on the EU, a 10% tariff represents a significant rise for most products,” she said.
“These changes will affect almost all of our businesses that export to the US.”
Evans said the Welsh Government remains in close contact with Westminster and is working with business and industry leaders to assess the fallout. Support will be available through existing business support programmes, and regular updates will be provided as the full impact becomes clearer.
Could there be an upside for UK consumers?
Amid the gloom, some experts suggest UK consumers might see short-term benefits, especially in the used car market.
Aidan Rushby, CEO of car finance company Carmoola, said the tariffs could create a glut of nearly-new and unsold stock that ends up staying in the UK.
“If British manufacturers struggle to sell into the US, we could see more cars redirected to the domestic market, which may mean better deals for UK consumers,” he said.
“An economic wobble caused by global trade tensions could also push used car prices lower as demand softens. That’s good news for buyers, but for current car owners, it could mean faster depreciation.”
Rushby added that it’s more important than ever for buyers to stay informed and work with responsible lenders.
Renewable energy sector raises alarm
It’s not just manufacturing that could suffer. Jane Cooper, Deputy Chief Executive of RenewableUK, warned that the broader fallout from tariffs and trade disputes could stifle green innovation and investment.
“These tariffs, combined with the US Government’s recent moves to halt offshore wind development, will mean UK and American companies will miss out on opportunities to trade, invest and collaborate in clean technology,” she said.
While trade in renewable goods between the UK and US is limited, Cooper said many UK-based manufacturers operate across Europe, and the disruption to supply chains could be significant.
Business leaders urged to prepare
The Institute of Directors (IoD) North Wales hosted a key event last week in Bangor, where industry experts briefed Welsh businesses on how best to navigate the evolving trade landscape.
David Roberts, Chair of North Wales IoD, said: “From global trade concerns such as Trump’s tariffs, to local investment opportunities in Flintshire and Wrexham, it’s vital that Welsh firms stay informed and resilient.”
Despite reassurances, there are no current plans for the UK to retaliate. The UK Government is seeking a negotiated solution with the US and has opened a consultation to assess the impact on British businesses.
For now, Welsh exporters—and especially those in automotive and high-tech sectors—face a turbulent road ahead.
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Michael Davies
September 2, 2016 at 1:02 pm
Hang the bastard. Then’ friend’ too.