Crime

Three decades on, Pembrokeshire siblings’ deaths still under review

Published

8 months ago

October 18, 2025

Family campaigners push for inquest to clear Griff Thomas

THREE years after Dyfed-Powys Police launched a forensic review into the 1976 deaths of Griff and Martha “Patti” Thomas, relatives say they remain frustrated at a lack of updates.

Operation Hallam was established in October 2022 to re-examine material held over the deaths of the elderly siblings at their Ffynnon Samson farmhouse, Llangolman. Martha, 70, was found unlawfully killed, while an open verdict was returned in Griff Thomas’s case, then aged 73.

Huw Absalom, a relative who was 15 when the deaths occurred, told Newyddion S4C he appreciated the review but said the family had received “no information” about its scope or the exhibits being examined.

“They’ve said that they’ll keep in touch, and they haven’t. That’s disappointing. I don’t expect a day-by-day update, but something would have been nice. It wouldn’t do any harm to have a close family meeting and get our viewpoint across,” he said.

Mr Absalom added that family members had not been informed which items were still in police custody. “I know some 150 items were taken from the house at the time. I have heard a lot of the items have gone missing. I don’t know how many they’ve got left or what they’re testing or nothing.”

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said he understood the frustrations but stressed that police were nearing the end of the review. “It’s important that we conduct the review thoroughly so that we’re getting the right answers for the family and the community,” he said. “What I think is important is that we allow the investigation and the forensic inquiry to continue and then we’ll be in a position to continue to consult with the coroner and decide on the next steps.”

CLEBRAN editor Hefin Wyn, who has campaigned for the case to be reopened, said: “I do believe enough information has come forward to prove that the evidence at the time was not strong enough to suggest Griff had actually killed his sister. The inquest should be reopened and Griff should be pardoned. He had no reason to kill his sister. He’s an innocent man. The people of Llangolman want to know that he was officially innocent.”

Two forensic experts who recently reviewed the case for S4C’s Byd ar Bedwar programme said there was reason to believe another person may have been involved in the deaths.

Family members and local residents continue to dispute the original coroner’s findings. Following the initial investigation, Det Ch Supt Pat Malloy concluded in January 1977 that Griff had “probably” killed his sister, possibly by striking her with a kitchen chair before starting a fire in which he died.

Mr Absalom said: “They lived a happy, quiet life in Llangolman. They were simple little farmers and lived a simple life.”

Crime

Portfield Gate man faces careless driving allegation after Tufton crash

Published

38 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A PORTFIELD GATE man has appeared before magistrates accused of failing to stop after a road accident on the B4329.

Tony Mallon, 32, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

He is charged with driving a Peugeot Partner without due care and attention on the B4329 Preselly Mountain Road at Tufton on November 12, 2025.

Mallon is also accused of failing to stop after an accident in which damage was allegedly caused to a Toyota Auris, and failing to report the accident to police within 24 hours.

The case was adjourned at the request of the defence for an intermediary report to be prepared.

Mallon is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 8 for a further pre-trial review.

Crime

Milford Haven man jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order

Published

1 hour ago

June 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed after admitting breaching a domestic violence protection order.

Ryan Carlmain, 33, of Plas Peregrine, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

The court heard that Carlmain breached an order made by the same court on May 14 this year.

The breach took place in Milford Haven on June 10, when he attended an address at Marble Hall Road, contacted the woman concerned three times by telephone, and entered the property through a bathroom window after snapping a key off in the back door.

Carlmain admitted the breach.

Magistrates committed him to prison for two months, saying the offence was so serious because he had shown a “flagrant disregard for court orders”.

He was also ordered to pay £284 in costs, with payment due on his release.

Crime

Worcestershire man jailed after violent attack on woman in Tenby

Published

15 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant was already serving a suspended sentence when serious assault took place

A WORCESTERSHIRE man has been jailed for more than two years after carrying out a serious assault on a woman in Tenby.

Lewis Thompson-Gill, 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm following an incident in the seaside town on December 28 last year.

A jury found Thompson-Gill guilty after a trial, having rejected his not guilty plea to the charge that he unlawfully and maliciously caused the victim serious injury.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the offence was committed while Thompson-Gill was already subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed by Worcester Magistrates’ Court on May 6, 2025.

That earlier sentence related to two breaches of a non-molestation order.

Sentencing Thompson-Gill, Recorder Paul Lewis KC imposed a total prison term of two years and four months.

The sentence comprises 20 months’ imprisonment for the grievous bodily harm offence, together with the activation of an eight-month suspended sentence in full.

The court also ordered Thompson-Gill to pay a victim surcharge of £187, which must be paid within three months of his release from custody.

The assault took place in Tenby during the Christmas period and resulted in injuries serious enough to justify the grievous bodily harm charge.

Thompson-Gill will now serve his sentence in custody.

Caption:

Lewis Thompson-Gill was jailed for a total of two years and four months at Swansea Crown Court (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)