News

Grandmother was fed tea with cannabis, court hears

Published

8 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.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

49 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

Published

57 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

Published

2 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.