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News

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

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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

Tumble dryer fire in Milford Haven sparks safety warning

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A TUMBLE dryer fire at a home in Milford Haven has prompted a fresh warning from firefighters about the dangers of electrical overloading and white goods.

Fire crews from Milford Haven Fire Station were called to a domestic property in Steynton at 5:52pm on Wednesday (Apr 9), after a tumble dryer caught fire. The blaze was caused by the use of a block adapter.

Fortunately, the occupiers were at home at the time and were able to raise the alarm quickly. The fire service said the incident could have ended very differently had the property been empty.

Fire crews from Milford Haven tackled a tumble dryer blaze in Steynton on Wednesday evening (Pic: MAWWFRS)

Crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) left the scene at 6:15pm.

Following the incident, MAWWFRS issued a safety reminder about the risks of using extension leads and adaptors incorrectly, and the importance of maintaining white goods safely.

A spokesperson for the service said: “Most households use extension leads or adaptors to increase the number of appliances that can be plugged into a wall socket. It is important that these devices are fused to minimise the risk of overheating and fire.”

The fire service shared the following advice:

  • Never plug in appliances that together exceed 13 amps or 3000 watts.
  • Don’t leave tumble dryers running when you go out or go to bed.
  • Don’t overload your tumble dryer or dry items soaked in flammable substances such as cooking oil.
  • If you smell burning or clothes seem excessively hot after a drying cycle, stop using the appliance and have it checked by a professional.

More information is available on the fire service’s website: www.mawwfire.gov.uk

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News

A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

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AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED

THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.

The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.

AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.

Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.

Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.

More updates will follow as information becomes available.

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Crime

Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

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OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.

The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”

No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.

Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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