Judith Rhead’s son Dale Morgan sentenced for murdering his mother with a hammer

Published

5 years ago

October 4, 2021

A NEYLAND man who murdered his mother with a hammer and continued to live in her home with her body for two months has been sentenced to life in prison.

Dale Morgan, aged 43, of Honeyborough Green, will serve a minimum of 21 years and six months after being sentenced at Swansea Crown Court for murdering Judith Rhead.

Her body was found in her home in Market Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday, 20 February 2021, with a plastic bag over her head.

She had been struck to the head 14 times with the hammer officers found on the floor near her body.

Morgan was arrested later that day and has been in custody since, pleading guilty to murder at a hearing on 31 August.

Dale Morgan killed his mother with a hammer

Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Jayne Butler, said the investigation had seen departments across the force pull together to get justice for Judith and her grieving family.

“Judith Rhead was the victim of an horrific attack,” she said.

“The fact that it was at the hands of her own son and in her own home only adds to the cruelty and horror of what she went through.

“Our officers worked hard to apprehend her killer and bring him to justice, which was achieved promptly and professionally.

“This investigation was a major undertaking and I would like to thank everyone involved in reaching this conclusion today.

“From the officers who guarded the scene and carried out the house-to-house enquiries to the investigators, they should all be proud to have helped secure justice for Judith.”

Judith was last seen alive on 11 December and it is believed she was murdered before Christmas, with unopened gifts still in her home.

Morgan continued to live in his mother’s flat as he tried to conceal what he had done, walking her dog and lying to her concerned friends when they asked where she was.

Following his arrest, Morgan answered no comment at interview, and has still said very little to give any sort of an account of what happened or why.

However, on 23 February 2021, whilst awaiting a video link to court, the defendant commented “to be honest, it’s a relief that things are kind of out of my hands now” to an officer.

Although unable to find a definitive motive, investigators have been able to prove Morgan was using Judith’s bank account and that she believed he was taking her prescription drugs.

DS Butler added: “I would like to thank Judith’s family and friends for the honesty, patience and dignity they have shown throughout the enquiry.

“Our thoughts are with them and we hope this sentence will provide an element of closure and allow them to grieve her loss.”

The family gave a tribute to Judith, saying: “As a family, we cannot come to terms with what has happened to Judith and we never will.

“Judith was a well-respected woman in her community and with a wide circle of friends.

“She was such a gentle person, who did not deserve to die in such a horrific way.

“This is something that will haunt our family for the rest of our lives.

“As a family we ask for our privacy to be respected during this difficult time. Thank you.”

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

20 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.

Health

Ambulance delays and blocked beds putting Welsh patients at risk, watchdog warns

Published

28 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AMBULANCE handover delays, long waits in emergency departments and delays discharging patients from hospital are continuing to put people at risk across Wales, Audit Wales has warned.

The public spending watchdog said urgent and emergency care remains under “constant pressure” despite extra funding and new policies aimed at improving joined-up working between the NHS, ambulance service, councils and social care providers.

In an article published today, Monday (Jun 22), Audit Wales said its work since 2024 had examined how health boards and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust manage demand for urgent and emergency care, as well as how health boards and local authorities support timely discharge from hospital.

It found that pressures across the system are increasing patient safety risks and driving up costs.

Key problems identified include ambulance handover delays, lengthy waits in emergency departments, underused new services despite extra funding, and delayed hospital discharges which continue to result in hundreds of thousands of lost bed days each year.

Audit Wales also said workforce problems across health and social care remain a major factor in delayed discharges.

The watchdog warned that data is still not being shared effectively across the system, making it harder for public bodies to make informed decisions and manage pressure.

The findings will add to growing concern about the state of urgent and emergency care in Wales, with patients, families and frontline staff repeatedly warning that delays in A&E and problems arranging social care packages are leaving people waiting too long for treatment or stuck in hospital after they are medically fit to leave.

Audit Wales said staff and leaders across the system had made clear that “something must change”.

It has set out six questions for the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and local authorities to consider as they look at how urgent and emergency care can be improved.

The Auditor General for Wales is the independent statutory external auditor of the devolved Welsh public sector and is responsible for auditing most public money spent in Wales.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment.

Entertainment

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

44 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.