A WOMAN whose former partner was murdered in a cowardly town centre attack has shaved her head to raise awareness and funds to combat knife crime, nearly three years after his killer was jailed for life.

John Bell was fatally stabbed in the back after walking away from an argument near a friend’s house. He was found seriously injured in a side street adjacent to the Fusion restaurant in Cardigan, having sustained seven stab wounds inflicted by Ashley Keegan at nearby Golwg y Castell.

Despite efforts to save him, Mr Bell succumbed to his injuries at the scene due to significant blood loss. A post-mortem examination confirmed the brutal extent of his injuries.

Keegan, who had been drinking and became increasingly aggressive on the day of the attack, was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2021 for what was described as a “brutal and cowardly” act. The court heard how Keegan retrieved a knife from a garden before launching the fatal assault after Mr Bell walked away from their altercation.

Remembering John

Mr Bell, who was a devoted father to a teenage daughter, is remembered fondly by his former partner, Louise Faller.

“John was a good-hearted man,” Louise shared. “As a first-time dad, he was amazing—he took to it naturally. John and I will always have the bond of being first-time parents together. He was a lovely man.”

Louise reflected on the profound impact of his death on their family, particularly on their daughter Cindy.

“There is still sadness, hurt, and anger about it,” she said. “Cindy will turn 18 on December 4, but the impact has changed her view of people and life. Her only comfort is me, her siblings, and her cats, which bring her love and peace.”

A Bold Act for Change

On Saturday, Louise had her hair shaved off in a buzz cut at Cardigan’s Hair Studio to raise money for Lives Not Knives, a youth-led charity focused on preventing youth violence through mentorship and guidance for people aged 9 to 21.

“I chose to shave my hair because it marks nearly three years since [Keegan] was sentenced for what he did,” Louise explained. “I wanted to highlight the dangers of knife crime and how easily a life can be taken. It’s a ripple effect of damage and broken hearts left behind.”

Louise is close to reaching her £500 fundraising target for Lives Not Knives and expressed deep gratitude for the support she has received.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for every single person who has donated and supported me,” she said. “It really has and will help this world in a small but huge way. Thank you from my heart.”

To donate to Louise’s campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/page/louise-faller-1727971243840.

A PEMBROKE man has appeared before magistrates charged with raping a woman on New Year’s Day 2015.

Mark Jones, 31, is accused of raping the woman at an undisclosed location in Pembroke and of sexually assaulting another woman in Llangain on September 19, 2020.

Jones, of Lord Meadow View, Pembroke, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday but entered no pleas.

Due to the seriousness of the charges, magistrates declined jurisdiction, and Jones will now appear before Swansea Crown Court on December 20. He was released on unconditional bail.

THE Torch Theatre in Milford Haven is delighted to be the recipient of the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund, part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration programme, in order to deliver a term of expressive arts sessions at Milford Haven Community Primary School.

Torch Theatre’s professional team has begun working with the school’s year 5 pupils on a playwriting and theatre design project. This exciting creative activity has been created to support the school in the development of young people’s Languages, Literacy and Communication skills.

“We’re incredibly pleased to be working with Milford Haven Community Primary School on this project and could not be doing it without the support of Pembrokeshire County Council and the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund,” said Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch.

Tim continued: “We know that providing this opportunity for the students and staff will have a meaningful and lasting impact. Not only will our young people improve their literacy skills, but we also hope it will give them aspirations to be part of the creative sector. Who knows one day they could be writing plays for the Torch Theatre.”

Playwright Katie Elin Salt and Theatre Designer Ruth Stringer are giving lessons each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the school. The students are hoping to create an epic play which combines famous authors with technology. It promises to be filled with dramatic twists as well as spectacular sets and costumes all created by the young people themselves.

At the end of the 11-week project, the young people will share their hard work in a performance for their friends and family in the Torch’s studio theatre.

One of the pupils undertaking the project said: “I have really enjoyed working with the Torch Theatre this term as the Torch has helped me understand how a play is put together. My favourite part was making the oven and microwave to be used as props with Ruth, I also enjoyed making the script with Katie and Tim.”

“The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed their sessions with Katie and Ruth. Some of our young people already have experience of working with Tim, through the Torch’s youth theatre program, so have been delighted to welcome him into their school environment. Working alongside each other we have been able to run a magical thread that joins our Interdisciplinary Learning topic with the skilled professionals’ areas of expertise, providing thought provoking connections with our wider learning,” said Rhian Johnson, Year Group lead for Year 5 at the school.

Rhian continued: “The children have created some fantastic scripts and are now in the process of creating props to aid the performances of their forthcoming show; Famous Authors. It’s a wild ride of contemporary and classic children’s literature combined with the latest technology – they can’t wait to get back into the workshops after half term!”

Alongside the project part of the funding is supporting additional free teacher training sessions for teachers across Pembrokeshire and beyond. These will take place at the Torch in both the Autumn and Spring terms, with theatre professionals delivering activity around creative writing, lighting, sound and theatre design.

Tim concluded: “One of the founding principles of the Torch almost 50 years ago was to provide educational opportunities for our community through the arts. That approach continues today with this project. It is our ambition to be an essential part of the educational landscape in Pembrokeshire and across west Wales.”