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News

Flo Evans: Was Cooper responsible?

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‘THE PEMBROKESHIRE MURDERS’, screened on ITV last week, brought renewed focus on John Cooper’s crimes.

The brutal killer’s crime spree, which started as early as 1961, left at least four dead, thirty homes burgled and two teenagers seriously sexually assaulted.

Many local people worry Cooper who, in 2011, was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, may have been responsible for more deaths.
In last week’s Herald, we took an in-depth look at two mysterious deaths in Llangolman in 1976.

However, there’s another death far closer to Cooper’s former stomping ground that the victim’s family believe could be connected to ‘The Bullseye Killer’.

Frail 77-year-old Flo Evans died in 1989, the same year the Dixons met their grisly ends on the coastal path near Little Haven.

Flo lived in Jordanston; a stone’s throw from Cooper’s house. Her home was right at the epicentre of Cooper’s burglary spree, which was ended by Operation Huntsman following a violent burglary in nearby Sardis.

During his interviews with Police during Operation Ottawa, Cooper mentioned Flo Evans’ name.

It later emerged that John Cooper and his wife, Pat, visited Flo and that John Cooper did odd-jobs in the pensioner’s home.

Flo liked the couple so much it’s believed she tried to help them secure nearby land for a small-holding.

Days after telling her friends that she couldn’t find her house keys Flo Evans was found dead in her bathtub.

Police reports said she was full-clothed.

At the time, Mrs Evans’ death was believed to be an accident. Investigators found a small cut on her head and concluded she had slipped and fallen into the bathtub, banged her head, and drowned.
Flo’s family never believed that version of events.

Talking to The Sun, Flo’s great-niece Rena Murphy said: “Aunt Flo was very set in her ways, she did things in a particular fashion.
“But the way she was found fully clothed in a cold bath and with no money in the house . . . we knew it was suspicious.”
Flo’s niece, Jean, said “Cooper knew my aunt. He visited her regularly and would have known there was always money in her handbag and more hidden upstairs.
“He lived across the fields from her, and that fits with the way he approached his other victims.
“We could never understand why Aunt Flo was found dead in the bath with all her clothes on.
“She always lit a fire in the kitchen to heat the water before taking a bath, and that fire wasn’t lit.”
“Money was missing, she didn’t have her false teeth in, the TV wasn’t switched off properly, and the front door was open.”
Jean went on: “Hopefully, the police will now reopen the case. It would give us some closure.”
Rena finished by saying: “Even if they never charge him, we will still have the satisfaction of knowing he is locked up for good.”

But that satisfaction hasn’t filtered into the local community.

Rumour and gossip continue to cloud the circumstances surrounding Flo’s mysterious death.
Local rumours place a black bicycle, thought to belong to John Cooper, leaning against a wall at Flo’s home in Rosemarket when she was found. Others claim that Flo was not fully clothed, but wearing just wellies when her body was discovered.

Dyfed-Powys Police refused to comment on speculation about individual pieces of evidence.
A Force spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police will examine any specific new information containing detailed knowledge or evidence. Any further decisions would be based on the results of the examination of that new material.
“There is no intention to re-investigate any incidents on speculation alone.”
That statement omits to mention one significant factor which led to the success of Operation Ottawa. As a result of Operation Huntsman, the burglaries for which Cooper spent ten years in prison after 1998, much of the material used to convict him of the Scoveston Manor and Coastal Path murders was already in Police possession.

As much as Cooper’s conviction resulted from dogged Police work, it also relied on forensic evidence in Dyfed-Powys Police’s possession for over a decade.

This week, South Wales Police announced a ‘forensic review’ into the 1999 Clydach Murders near Swansea.
It would be fitting for both Patti & Griff from Llangolman and Flo Evans to have their deaths’ forensically reviewed’.
You never know.

A police force’ short of luck’ while investigating the Scoveston and Dixon murders might unearth a wealth of information in the material it already has.
It did once before.

Health

Hywel Dda appoints new of Executive Director of Nursing Quality and Patient Experience

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HYWEL DDA University Health Board has today announced the appointment of Sharon Daniel as its new Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Care.

Sharon has held the role of Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at the health board on an interim basis since January 2024, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer.

A well-known and well-respected leader within the organisation, Sharon brings a wealth of experience to the role, having dedicated her entire professional career to healthcare in the Hywel Dda region. Her journey spans clinical, academic and managerial roles — from her early days as an adult nurse to positions in site management, lecturing, infection prevention and control, clinical governance, and general management.

Since 2015, Sharon has served as Assistant Director of Nursing, working across areas including infection prevention and control, professional standards and regulation. She stepped into the role of Deputy Director of Nursing in May 2023 and was appointed interim Director of Nursing in early 2024. Her appointment to the permanent position recognises her leadership and deep commitment to the local population and workforce.

Professor Phil Kloer, Hywel Dda University Health Board Chief Executive, commented:

“Sharon has demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership throughout her career with Hywel Dda. Her passion for nursing, deep knowledge of our services, and genuine connection to the people we serve make her an exceptional choice for this role. I am delighted to announce her appointment, following a competitive and open process, and look forward to continuing to work alongside her as we drive forward our ambitions for high-quality, compassionate care.”

Speaking on her appointment, Sharon said: “Hywel Dda is home to me. My family and I are part of the population, and I have worked within healthcare here since I finished my formal training.

“I’m incredibly proud to lead such a dedicated and passionate nursing workforce and I’m excited to work with colleagues to celebrate our achievements and build on them as we look to the future. Together, we’ll explore opportunities for interprofessional team working to help deliver our clinical strategy and the very best care for our communities.”

Sharon’s appointment marks a significant step forward in the Health Board’s ongoing commitment to strengthening professional leadership and improving outcomes for patients and communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire.

Swyddfa’r Cyfryngau | Media Office
Cyfathrebu | Communications 
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda | Hywel Dda University Health Board
mediaoffice.hyweldda@wales.nhs.uk

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News

Welsh Lib Dems call for expansion of free childcare across Wales

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THE WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have pledged to make childcare a central pillar of their platform ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, with a bold new commitment to offer 30 hours of free childcare per week for all children aged nine months to four years old.

During a visit to Meithrinfa Y Pelican nursery in Cardiff on Thursday (Apr 4), party leader Jane Dodds MS set out the plans ahead of the party’s Spring Conference. She said tackling high childcare costs was essential not only to ease the cost-of-living crisis for families, but also to support the Welsh economy.

“The extortionate cost of childcare is one of the biggest challenges families face,” Dodds said. “It’s not only impacting child poverty rates, but it’s also dragging down our economy and preventing parents – especially women – from pursuing the careers they want.”

Dodds highlighted the party’s recent success in securing £30 million through budget negotiations to expand the Flying Start programme. This funding will provide childcare for all two-year-olds in Wales and increase the hourly rate to support providers. However, she said this was just the beginning.

“If we are in a position to shape government policy after the next election, we will go much further,” she added.

During the visit, nursery staff outlined the challenges facing childcare providers, including rising National Insurance contributions, increased energy and water bills, and general inflation. Many nurseries have had to raise their fees simply to maintain minimum staffing levels.

Dodds emphasised that a vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats next year would be a vote to reduce childcare costs, help families through the cost-of-living crisis, and stimulate the Welsh economy.

“Every child deserves the best possible start in life, no matter their background,” she said.

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Crime

Former police superintendent dismissed for gross misconduct

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Misogynistic behaviour spanned three years, hearing told

A FORMER senior officer has been dismissed from Dyfed-Powys Police following a gross misconduct hearing which found he had engaged in inappropriate and misogynistic behaviour towards female colleagues.

Gary Davies, who held the rank of Superintendent, had been suspended since July 2022 while an investigation was carried out into a series of allegations relating to his conduct between 2017 and 2020.

A Gross Misconduct Hearing was held at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters between 24 March and 4 April 2025. The hearing was chaired by Legally Qualified Chair, Mr Oliver Thorne.

The panel found that Davies had breached multiple standards of professional behaviour, including Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Discreditable Conduct, and Equality and Diversity. As a result, he has been dismissed from the force and placed on the College of Policing Barred List, which prevents him from returning to the police service.

Deputy Chief Constable Ifan Charles, who serves as the Appropriate Authority for complaints and misconduct within Dyfed-Powys Police, issued a formal statement following the outcome.

He said: “Dyfed-Powys Police expects the highest standards of professional behaviour from its officers and staff, both on and off duty – and especially from those in senior leadership roles.
“I apologise to the former and current officers and staff who were subjected to inappropriate behaviour by former Superintendent Gary Davies, and I thank them for their courage in coming forward.
“Over the past two weeks, we have heard accounts from a number of colleagues, the majority of whom are women, who experienced unacceptable misogynistic conduct during the course of their duties.
“They are role models, and I commend the integrity and bravery they have shown throughout this process.
“This case is deeply concerning and will understandably cause unease within the organisation. I want to reassure all staff and the wider public that immediate action was taken when allegations were made, and the matter has been treated with the utmost seriousness.
“The outcome of today’s hearing reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of conduct in policing. We will continue to use all available measures to ensure those unfit to hold the office of constable are removed swiftly and efficiently.”

Davies’s name was officially added to the Barred List on Friday (Apr 4), the day the hearing concluded.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, Dafydd Llywelyn: told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “The public rightly expects the highest standards from those who serve in policing.  Former Superintendent Gary Davies actions fell short of these expectations, and their dismissal reflects our commitment to integrity, professionalism, and public trust. There is no place in Dyfed-Powys Police for those who undermine these values.

“I would like to thank current and former staff and officers who came forward to report this misconduct.  I appreciate that this must have been incredibly difficult, but their courage has been vital in ensuring accountability and upholding the standards the public deserve.”

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