News

Sect members guilty of preventing burial

Published

12 years ago

February 27, 2014

THREE PEOPLE belonging to a religious sect who covered up the death of Geoffrey Sturdey for almost five years were jailed by a judge at Swansea Crown Court on Monday.

His widow, Rebekah Ladan Sturdey, aged 56, did it so that they could continue to claim £77,000 of his benefits for her and a friend.

Co-defendant Boqer-Ore Adie, aged 43, also admitted preventing lawful burial and benefit fraud, was also jailed for 20 months.

A third defendant, Carmel Adie, aged 25, was given a nine-month jail sentence suspended for a year with 150 hours unpaid work after admitting preventing Mr Sturdey’s lawful burial.

The group were members of a “hybrid” religious sect based on Judaism and the Old Testament and the court heard how the sect members, who called Mr Sturdey ‘Shamar’ (Hebrew for ‘keeper’ or ‘guardian’), expected Jesus to return to earth seven days after his death.

Mr Sturdey’s body was eventually found by Dyfed-Powys Police on the farm in 2013 following an extensive £20,000 search involving aerial photographs, ground penetrating radar and forensic archaeology, buried near a poly tunnel on the farm.

Detective Inspector Steve Davies said: “This was an unusual and protracted investigation that came about following concerns raised by the Department of Work and Pensions in relation to the whereabouts of Mr Geoffrey Howard Sturdey.

“As an organisation we then worked closely with the Department of Work and Pensions to conduct a thorough investigation. The body of Mr Sturdey was discovered in the grounds of his remote home on June 17, 2013. “Following a professional and thorough investigation and joint working with the CPS, Boqer-OreAdie, Rebekah Ladan Sturdey, Hazel Adie and Karmel Adie were charged with conspiracy to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a dead body and fraud.

“Due to the level of evidence produced following a thorough and complex investigation the four involved all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a dead body, and four counts of fraud in Swansea Crown Court in December 2013.

“Boqer-ore Adie has today been sentenced to 20 months for the unlawful burial, and 20 months for fraud to run concurrent. Rebekah Ladan Sturdey was sentenced to 20 months for the unlawful burial, and 20 months for fraud to run concurrent. Both were given 25% credit for their guilty pleas. Karmel Adie was given a 12 months suspended sentence for the unlawful burial and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

“This demonstrates that in our society people will not get away with the unlawful burial of a deceased person who then carry on to benefit from continuing to claim that persons benefits or money. A Proceeds of Crime Act application is also being pursued in relation to this case”.

“We have kept the family of Mr Sturdey informed throughout the investigation and we hope that today’s sentence brings them some sort of comfort and a sense of closure.”

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

8 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

9 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

10 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.