News

Grandmother was fed tea with cannabis, court hears

Published

7 years ago

January 23, 2018

BARRY ROGERS has denied changing his story to back up his claim that his grandmother Betty Guy died before he got to her.

And he claimed his mother was in the habit of serving Mrs Guy tea laced with cannabis.

Rogers had told a jury at Swansea Crown Court he arrived at Mrs Guy’s home in Hillcroft, Johnston, after his mother Penny John had already dialled 999 to report her death.

Rogers was accused today of going back on what he told police after his arrest to make it look as though he had not had the opportunity of killing her.

Rogers, of High Street, Fishguard, and John, 50, of Maes Dre, Union Terrace, St Dogmaels, deny murdering Mrs Guy in the early hours of November 7, 2011.

At first her death was put down to natural causes and her body was cremated at Narberth four days later.

Rogers was cross examined by Paul Lewis QC, the barrister leading the prosecution.

The jury has heard how Rogers had been at home in Frome, Somerset, late on November 6, 2011, when he received a telephone call from his mother telling him his Nan was seriously ill and that she was asking for him.

Mr Lewis reminded Rogers that he told police he had left about 11pm, had driven at 140mph and that the journey had taken about two hours.

But on Friday he had told the jury he had left about midnight, driven at between 90mph and 100mph, and that he had arrived between two and a half and three hours after leaving.

Mr Lewis accused Rogers of altering the details to support his claim that he arrived too late to say goodbye to her–or to smother her with a pillow, which is what he is charged with.

Rogers revealed that his mother served his grandmother tea laced with cannabis, which she later referred to as ‘mum’s special tea’.

“My mum told me she used to put cannabis in her tea. It was towards the end of her life.

“It was at my Nan’s request, my mum said.

“I have never told the police before because it was never a question that was put to me.”

Mr Lewis said police officers had asked him: “Any drugs given to your Nan? And you said ‘no.'”

Rogers said: “I did not want to get my mum into trouble.”

After their initial arrest police granted Rogers and John bail as long as they stayed together at John’s home, which officers had secretly bugged.

During tape recorded conversations John could be heard saying to Rogers that they must not mention anything about giving Mrs Guy illegal drugs.

“You decided that together,” said Mr Lewis. “Don’t tell the police about mum’s special tea.”

Rogers said he understood his mother obtained the cannabis and gave it to his grandmother, who may have mixed it into her tea herself.

“I was not aware of it (the cannabis) until after she died,” he added.

News

Pembrokeshire County Councillor Andrew Edwards resigns suddenly

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of PembroTHE CHIEF executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, Will Bramble, has released a statement announcing that Cllr Andrew Edwards has resigned for personal reasons. A notice of a casual vacancy will be published today (Dec 30).

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted Cllr Edwards, who issued the following statement:

“Family matters have made my position as a county councillor untenable.

“I have therefore decided to resign from the council, as I feel unable to carry out my duties to the standard I would wish at this time.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the staff and fellow councillors who have supported me during my tenure.

“I wish the very best to my successor, who I am confident will serve the community with dedication.

“This has not been an easy decision, but I believe it is in the best interests of those I represent.”

Edwards, a barber, has served on the council since May 2022.

In April 2023, the Conservative councillor referred himself to the Public Services Ombudsman following the emergence of a recording in which he appeared to make offensive remarks suggesting all white men should have a black slave. However, it was later suggested that the recording may have been artificially generated using AI to discredit him.

Health

Hospital visiting precautions in place ‘to protect patients’

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to hospitals across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire are being asked to only attend if they are free of any potential flu-like symptoms, or any sickness or diarrhoea. Additionally, they may be requested to wear face masks before entry to certain wards or departments.

Seasonal flu and winter vomiting viruses are affecting patients on several wards with infection prevention and control actions being taken, as necessary.

Visitors are asked to only come to see their loved ones if they are free of any infections, to wash hands before leaving home and clean hands on arrival at the hospital/ward using the hand sanitiser. Visitors may also be asked to wear face masks/coverings on the ward/department they are visiting. Masks will be available at the hospital entrance or can be provided on affected wards.

There are additional restrictions in place that limit visitors to:

Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. Please discuss individual patient visiting arrangements at AMAU with the nurse in charge.
This arrangement will be reviewed daily, and restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible. The health board’s website will be updated daily with details of wards with enhanced restrictions on visiting.

Janice Cole Williams, Assistant Director of Nursing at Hywel Dda University Health Board
said: “Within affected wards, all staff are wearing masks and visiting is limited at Prince Philip Hospital’s AMAU to help stop spread of infection.

“Our local community can help us avoid outbreaks of infection by not visiting family and friends in hospital if they are feeling unwell themselves.

“Annual flu vaccination is also undoubtedly the best way to protect against catching or spreading flu. Not only can it prevent you from becoming very unwell, it can also help reduce your risk of secondary infections such as pneumonia, which can be dangerous if you are clinically vulnerable.”

Vaccination centres are open, with no appointment needed today (Monday), until 5.30pm and tomorrow, Tuesday, December 31 for all people eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. This includes children aged two years (on 31 August 2024) to those in year 11 who can access the nasal flu vaccine at the centres.

Drop in any time between 9.15am and 5.30pm to your nearest vaccination centre:

Aberaeron (Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre, Vicarage Hill, Aberaeron, SA46 0DY)
Llanelli (Unit 2a, Dafen Industrial Estate, Heol Cropin, SA14 8QW)
Neyland (Unit 1 Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE)
The following groups are eligible for vaccination:

Flu vaccination

Children aged two and three years on 31 August 2024 
Children in primary school from reception class to year 6 (inclusive)  
Children in secondary school from year 7 to year 11 (inclusive)   
People aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups   
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2024)   
Pregnant women  
Carers aged 16 and over 
People aged six months to 65 years who live with someone who has a weakened immune system   
People with a learning disability  
Frontline health and social care workers  
All staff working in care homes with regular client contact
Poultry workers at high risk
COVID-19 vaccination

People aged six months to 64 years with a long-term health condition (which includes pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system)
Residents in a care home for older adults
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
Unpaid carers
Frontline health and social care workers
Staff working in care homes for older adults
If you have any questions about accessing the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, please phone the health board on 0300 303 8322 option 1 or email: [email protected]

Business

Welsh firms expect brighter profits in 2025

Published

12 hours ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MORE than three-quarters (79%) of Welsh businesses expect greater profitability in 2025, a significant increase from 69% recorded in December 2023, according to Lloyds’ Business Barometer.

The survey also revealed that 73% of firms anticipate a rise in turnover next year. Of those, nearly a third (32%) predict revenue growth of between six and 10%, while over a quarter (26%) expect even higher gains.

Profitability remains the top priority for 55% of businesses, followed closely by staff upskilling (43%) and productivity improvements (33%). Additionally, 17% of firms aim to enhance their technology, including automation and AI, while 18% are focused on improving environmental sustainability.

To achieve these goals, more than a third (35%) of Welsh businesses plan to invest in staff training, with 29% allocating resources towards research and development (R&D) of new products or services.

The Lloyds Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and has been running since 2002, provides valuable insights into regional and national economic trends.

Sam Noble, Regional Director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “Welsh businesses are looking ahead to the new year with ambitious plans. While uncertainties remain, these strategies will help them achieve growth and strengthen their resilience against potential challenges. As they move forward, we’ll continue to stand by them with our support.”