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

Flood warnings issued across Wales as heavy rain raises river levels

Published

5 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FLOOD warnings and alerts have been issued across large parts of Wales as persistent heavy rain causes river levels to rise, with parts of the country facing an increased risk of flooding on Thursday (Dec 18).

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has confirmed that four flood warnings are currently in place, meaning immediate action is required, while a further 16 flood alerts have been issued where flooding is possible.

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office, covering much of Wales from 10:00am on Thursday until 7:00pm, with disruption expected in some areas.

NRW said the warnings follow prolonged wet weather, with further heavy rainfall forecast to move across the country during the day.

The Met Office said: “An area of heavy rain will move northeast across the warning area during Thursday morning and afternoon before clearing to the east through the evening.

“Given recent very wet weather, there is potential for some disruption to travel and possible flooding.

“Much of the warning area will see 15–25mm of rain but some places could see 40–50mm, with the highest totals falling over high ground of south Wales.”

Forecasters have also warned that strong winds could worsen conditions, particularly along the coast.

“There is a chance of 60–70mph gusts along the exposed south coast, and perhaps 40–50mph some way inland,” the Met Office added.

Flood warnings in force

NRW has confirmed flood warnings are currently active at the following locations:

River Towy at Carmarthen Quay, Carmarthen
River Ritec at Tenby
River Towy affecting isolated properties between Llandeilo and Abergwili
River Rhyd Hir at Riverside Terrace, Pwllheli

Residents in these areas are being urged to take immediate action to protect property and personal safety.

Flood alerts issued

In addition, flood alerts — meaning flooding is possible — have been issued for the Lower Severn catchment in Powys, along with other areas shown on NRW’s live flood monitoring maps.

NRW is advising people to remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads and footpaths, and keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings.

The Herald understands that river levels will continue to be closely monitored throughout the day as rainfall moves through Wales.

Members of the public can check the latest flood warnings and alerts on the Natural Resources Wales website or by signing up for flood alerts direct to their phone.

Flood alerts and warnings across Wales on Thursday (Pic: NRW).

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

57 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.