A PROMINENT criminal barrister has joined the chorus calling for a fresh investigation into the deaths of siblings Griff and Patti Thomas, who were found dead in their isolated Pembrokeshire farmhouse in 1976.

Nearly half a century after the grim discovery at Ffynon Samson in the village of Llangolman, barrister Andrew Taylor is questioning the original findings that suggested Griff murdered his sister before taking his own life. Mr. Taylor, known for his work in overturning wrongful murder convictions, has cast doubt on several pieces of evidence used in the initial investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their review of the case remains active.

The bodies of Griff and Patti Thomas were initially found by a postman in December 1976. An inquest in Haverfordwest in February 1977 delivered a verdict of manslaughter for Patti and an open verdict for Griff, leaving unanswered questions about the true circumstances of their deaths.

Mr. Taylor pointed out troubling aspects of the evidence, including a nail found embedded in Griff’s eye with no satisfactory explanation from police or pathologists, and significant bleeding from a head injury which contradicts the absence of third-party involvement. Moreover, the scene contained two half-drunk cups of tea and uneaten food, hinting at the presence of a visitor, and no accelerants were found, which challenges the suicide theory.

These details suggest that the siblings might have been entertaining a known visitor shortly before their deaths, adding complexity to the narrative of a lone murder-suicide.

The case has recently gained additional attention through a new BBC Sounds podcast, “Death on the Farm,” which explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The podcast follows The Pembrokeshire Herald playing significant roles in reviving interest in the case.

Over the years the newspaper has dedicated extensive investigative resources to questioning the initial police conclusions, which suggested that Griff Thomas killed his sister Patti before setting their farmhouse on fire and perishing in the blaze himself.

In recent years, Herald journalists such as Andy Chandler and Jon Coles have highlighted the inconsistencies in the original investigation, particularly focusing on forensic evidence, such as unidentified fingerprints and the unexplained presence of blood on a sewing machine cover.

Their work, combined with campaigns led by local media outlets like Clebran and community councils, pressured Dyfed-Powys Police to consider reopening the case. Coverage has emphasised that the official verdict, which painted Griff as a murderer despite his physical limitations and severe arthritis, left many unanswered questions​

The Herald’s reporting has also been instrumental in debunking earlier theories linking notorious serial killer John Cooper to the deaths of the Thomas siblings. Through detailed interviews with local sources and a focus on forensic gaps in the investigation, these publications have kept the unresolved nature of the case in the public eye, pushing for justice more than 45 years later​.

With the launch of Operation Hallam, a forensic cold case review started in October 2022, plus this renewed interest, there now renewed hope that modern investigative techniques might finally provide clarity on this nearly 50-year-old case, answering lingering questions and potentially clearing Griff Thomas’s name.

HUW Edwards’ London residence has been placed on the market for £4.75 million, according to reports from The Mirror. The Welsh journalist, who has faced public disgrace, originally purchased the property with his wife, Vicky Flind, for £1.85 million in 2006. The house, located in a prestigious part of South London, is now up for sale following Edwards’ recent legal troubles.

In September, the 63-year-old former BBC newsreader, from Carmarthenshire, was handed a suspended six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children. Edwards vacated the family home, which he shared with his wife and five children, in July.

The property is described as a spacious family home with six double bedrooms, spread across three floors, featuring generous living spaces. It also boasts a large garden, a driveway with room for several cars, and a double-length garage, adding to its appeal on one of the area’s most sought-after roads.

Huw Edwards appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last month, where he admitted to three counts of possessing indecent images of children. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sentenced him to a suspended prison term and ordered him to complete a sex offender rehabilitation programme. Edwards will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years, though no Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed.

In court, Goldspring acknowledged the once celebrated reputation Edwards had in the media, but stated that his legacy has been irrevocably tarnished by his crimes. The sale of the home comes amidst ongoing legal developments in Edwards’ case.

As this situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the sale of Edwards’ London home will progress. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

A SLOWDOWN in demand in the housing market in Wales is leading to a cautious outlook amongst surveyors for the final quarter of the year, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

A net balance of -43% of surveyors in Wales reported that new buyer enquiries fell through September which is the lowest this balance has been since October 2023, and the lowest balance across all the UK regions.

As demand is falling, supply is rising. A net balance of 31% of Welsh respondents reported that new instructions to sell increased in the most recent survey.

However, with limited demand, it is unsurprising that sales were reported to have fallen broadly flat through September. A net balance of -3% of surveyors in Wales noted that sales had fallen, down from +28% in August.

And this may be weighing on surveyors’ outlook for sales over the next quarter. A net balance of -10% of Welsh surveyors anticipate that house sales will fall through Q4.

Regarding pricing, respondents in Wales report that prices fell broadly flat through Q3. On the outlook, a net balance of -30% of Welsh surveyors expect prices to fall over the next three months.

Looking at the lettings market, a net balance of 67% of survey respondents in Wales noted a rise in tenant demand, whilst a net balance of -40% of Welsh surveyors noted a fall in landlord instructions. This has led to a net balance of 67% of surveyors expecting rents to rise through the final quarter of 2024.

Commenting on the sales market, Anthony Filice, FRICS of Kelvin Francis Ltd, in Cardiff said: “Appraisals and instructions are strong and if realistically priced, in the middle to lower price bands, are selling. Above £800,000 and especially over £1,000,000 are slow, we suspect, waiting on the result of the Budget. Some vendors are still asking too much and ending up with even less.”

Tim Goodwin, AssocRICS of Williams & Goodwin The Property People in Gwynedd added: “There has been a noticeable increase in sales falling through in recent weeks not helped by the implementation of Article 4 Planning controls over holiday lets and second homes.”

Discussing the lettings market, Paul Lucas, FRICS of R.K.Lucas & Son in Haverfordwest commented: “Availability of rentals is scarce as landlords and second home owners retreat from the market in the light of new government legislation. Demand is high and according to standard economics principles, rents are increasing – at the present time, mostly due to government intervention.”

Commenting on the UK picture, RICS Head of Market Analytics, Tarrant Parsons, said: “The latest survey results once again convey a brighter picture for housing market activity, with the recent easing in mortgage interest rates continuing to support a recovery in buyer demand.

“Critical for the outlook, a further unwinding in monetary policy is anticipated over the months ahead, which should create a more favourable backdrop for the market moving forward. In keeping with this idea, forward-looking sentiment data from the survey points to sales volumes gaining impetus, both in the near-term and over the next twelve months.”