News

Mystery at Carmarthen tip: After 30 years, the search for a lost child continues

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2023

IT WAS an ordinary autumn day in September 1990 at the refuse tip at Nantycaws. But what lay amongst the rubbish transformed a routine day into a chilling mystery that has remained unsolved for over three decades.

Police have recently confirmed that the investigation into the gruesome discovery of a child’s body part at this West Wales rubbish tip remains active. A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said, “The investigation remains open and unidentified at this time. Our main objective is to identify the child, and liaising with any family members remains our top priority.”

Mike Lewis of Carmarthen recalled that grim day when he stumbled upon what seemed to be a baby’s leg amidst the waste. “I thought it was medical waste from a hospital. It looked so perfect and cleanly cut, but the reality was far more sinister,” Lewis commented.

Police immediately cordoned off the area, embarking on an extensive search to find any other body parts or evidence. The initial findings suggested the leg belonged to a baby girl, just a few months old. Further examinations hinted at the disturbing possibility that the limb had been severed using a sharp tool, raising unsettling questions about the circumstances of the child’s death.

In the aftermath of the discovery, local rumours ran rampant. Theories from accidental death to ritualistic sacrifices circulated the town. The police’s initial investigations were vast, encompassing refuse lorry drivers and hospitals. Yet, conclusive answers have been elusive.

Jeff Thomas, the then Detective Superintendent at Dyfed-Powys Police, had appealed for information and broadened the search beyond the Dyfed-Powys region, suggesting the refuse might have even come from areas as distant as West Glamorgan.

Despite the initial efforts, the mystery surrounding the child’s leg has endured. However, findings from the National Crime Agency (NCA) indicate that such grim discoveries, though uncommon, are not unheard of. In the 2016/17 period alone, 57 unidentified bodies or body parts were reported, with 11 being partial remains. Startlingly, of the 929 cases reported since 1950, a significant 97% belong to babies.

The NCA is striving for answers alongside local police. Louise Vesely-Shore, senior officer at the UK Missing Persons Unit, highlighted the role of DNA in solving such mysteries, “DNA has certainly made a difference… But wider publicity and international reach also play an essential role in identifying some of these cases.”

Three decades later, many organisations linked to the initial investigations have disbanded, and the tragic tale of the infant girl found at Nantycaws seems to be fading from memory. Yet, the relentless quest for answers, led by the police and supported by the community, continues. For now, the mystery endures, a sombre reminder of a child lost in time.

(Cover image: File)

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

44 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Charity

Two Welsh families fund Childline across the UK on Christmas Day

Published

60 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Staff Writer

Joint £40,000 gift ensures vital support is available when children need it most

TWO Cardiff families have joined forces to fund the NSPCC’s Childline service across the whole of the UK on Christmas Day, ensuring children have somewhere to turn during one of the toughest times of the year.

The Peterson family and the Bowles family are each donating £20,000 as part of the charity’s One Unforgettable Day project. Their combined £40,000 contribution will cover the entire cost of running Childline for 24 hours on 25 December.

Childline operates 12 bases nationwide and offers a free, confidential service to anyone under 19, available day and night, 365 days a year. The festive period is often one of the most demanding for counsellors and volunteers; between 24 December 2024 and 4 January 2025, Childline delivered 4,261 counselling sessions.

Young people reach out to Childline for a range of reasons at Christmas, including mental health struggles, family tensions, financial worries, loneliness, and increased risks of abuse or domestic violence. With schools closed and regular support networks unavailable, demand for help typically rises.

Childline relies heavily on donations, fundraising and charitable partnerships. The support of Alan, Maggie and Hywel Peterson, and Nathan and Claire Bowles and their four children, will ensure counsellors are available throughout Christmas Day for any young person who needs them.

Hywel Peterson MBE, Chair of the NSPCC Cymru Fundraising Board, said:
“It’s an honour to help fund Childline across the whole of the UK this Christmas. This joint donation will ensure our dedicated staff and volunteers are there to support any child who needs us.”

Cardiff entrepreneur Nathan Bowles added:
“We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for some children, so our family is delighted to be joining forces with the Petersons this year to support this vital service.”

Louise Israel, Childline team manager at NSPCC Cymru’s Cardiff base, said:
“While children and young people need Childline all year round, we speak to many who find this time of year particularly difficult. It is only with the support of such generous people as the Peterson and Bowles families that our staff and volunteers can continue to be here throughout the Christmas holidays. This kindness will genuinely make a difference.”

Children can call Childline free on 0800 11 11 or visit www.childline.org.uk.
Anyone concerned about a child’s welfare can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk for advice.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include: