News

Llandysul: Paranoid schizophrenic slashed his partner’s throat

Published

11 years ago

November 1, 2014

Swansea Crown Court

A PARANOID schizophrenic slashed his partner’s throat to save her from a fate worse than death, a judge heard on Friday (Oct 31).

James Blair Hamilton developed a “tremendous fear” that demons were about to break into their house and to kill him and Patricia Anne Durrant “in a particularly unpleasant way.”

Hamilton cut her throat from ear to ear before trying to take his own life.

Today, Hamilton, aged 60, denied murder but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The pleas were accepted by the prosecution and Hamilton was detained under the Mental Health Act without limit of time.

Huw Rees, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court how Hamilton and Miss Durrant, aged 65, lived together at several locations in Wales before settling down in a house in High Street, Llandysul.

In 2002 he had received treatment for a mental illness, and responded well. But he had stopped taking medication and had lost contact with the mental health services.

Late on March 2 this year neighbours noticed at a window Miss Durrant, a seamstress, working at her sewing machine making a red dress.

It appeared, said Mr Rees, she was killed very shortly afterwards.

The following morning Hamilton dialled 999 and Pc Rhys James arrived to find him sitting on the stairs covered in blood.

He went into the kitchen to find “a scene like something out of a horror film.”

Miss Durrant was already dead, having suffered “catastrophic” injuries to her neck. She had also suffered at least eight defence wounds across her arms as she had tried to protect herself.

Hamilton later told police he had approached Miss Durrant from behind as she sat on a chair in the kitchen and cut her throat.

He said he believed demons were about to go on a killing spree.

After the killing he stabbed himself in the neck and stomach, and lay down next to Miss Durrant. He thought he was going to die but he awoke a short time later.

He said he spent the rest of the night “wandering about wondering what to do” before dialling 999.

Mr Rees said although Hamilton did not have any previous convictions for violence police discovered a conversation between the couple had been video taped. In it, Miss Durrant accused Hamilton of breaking her arm while he blamed her for the injury because she struggled too hard to get out of his grip.

Mr Rees said Miss Durrant had been unhappy living in Llandysul and had wanted to move to Pembrokeshire.

Dr Roger Thomas, a psychiatrist, told the court he had “absolutely no doubt” that Hamilton suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, but since his arrest and subsequent treatment he had shown significant recovery.

Hamilton’s barrister, Geraint Walters, said the killing of Miss Durrant had been “a tragedy that no-one saw coming.”

Judge Keith Thomas said Hamilton was the only person who could say what had happened that night.

He said Hamilton had thought of leaving the property to escape the demons but that would have “left her unprotected and the entities would have got her and a fate worse than death.”

Hamilton, who sat in the dock surrounded by four mental health workers as well as dock officers, was told he would be detained at the Caswell Clinic, near Bridgend, until the Secretary of State for Justice deemed it was safe to release him.

News

Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:

Published

2 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Students to get wider access to EMA support

MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.

Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.

She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.

“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”

More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.

The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.

Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.

“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.

“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.

“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.

“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”

EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.

Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).

Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.

If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.

News

Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre

Published

3 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.

Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.

A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.

The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”

The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.

We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

News

Teenager intervenes after bridge incident

Published

3 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TEENAGER was left shaken after stepping in to help a young woman in distress on Clay Lanes bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Herald understands the 18-year-old was walking through Clay Lanes at around 4:10am when he noticed a young woman standing on the road bridge over the bypass.

Concerned that something was wrong, he approached her and tried to engage her in conversation. When she remained polite but dismissive, he walked a short distance away and called police before returning to stay nearby.

According to information passed to The Herald, officers arrived a short time later. It is understood the young woman then attempted to go over the bridge, but the teenager pulled her back to safety as police responded and called for further assistance.

His father, who contacted The Herald, said the young man had been badly shaken by the incident.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for comment.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, support is available from Samaritans free of charge, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.

Image: File photo