Crime

BBC documentary reveals local man murdered mother then lived with her body

Published

3 months ago

February 22, 2026

A NEW BBC documentary examining one of Pembrokeshire’s most disturbing crimes will be broadcast this week — and includes contributions from two journalists closely involved in reporting the case at the time.

***Dale Morgan killed his mother with a hammer***

The programme, The Truth About My Murder: A Killing in Lockdown, focuses on the killing of Judith Rhead by her son Dale Morgan at her Pembroke Dock flat during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Morgan was jailed for life in October 2021 after admitting murdering his 68-year-old mother, striking her repeatedly with a hammer before living in the property alongside her body for around two months.

The documentary explores the events leading up to the discovery of Judith’s body in February 2021, the subsequent police investigation, and the impact on her family and community.

It also features contributions from local journalists including Herald editor Tom Sinclair and his deputy Jon Coles, who both covered the case extensively during the investigation and court proceedings.

***Herald Editor Tom Sinclair explains how the community was shocked by the murder***

Judith Rhead, described by friends as sociable and caring, had worked as a social work assistant and carer. She was well known locally and enjoyed music and karaoke.

Concerns were raised when neighbours had not seen her for some time during lockdown. Morgan initially told people she was unwell and later claimed she had been admitted to hospital, prompting further checks.

Police eventually attended the flat on Saturday, February 20, 2021, where officers discovered her body inside the bedroom.

A post-mortem examination confirmed she had died from multiple head injuries consistent with a hammer attack. Evidence suggested she had been dead for several weeks before being found.

Morgan later handed himself in to police and admitted the killing. At Swansea Crown Court he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and six months.

Sentencing him, the judge described the attack as savage and sustained against a defenceless woman.

Dyfed-Powys Police said procedures relating to welfare concerns have since been reviewed, with greater emphasis placed on face-to-face contact where vulnerability is suspected.

The Truth About My Murder: A Killing in Lockdown will be broadcast on BBC One Wales at 10:40pm on Tuesday (Feb 24), and is also available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Crime

Steynton motorist banned after drink-drive collision

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Driver was seen swerving through Milford Haven before hitting traffic barrier

A STEYNTON motorist has lost his licence after being caught driving through Milford Haven while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that at around 2:00am on Saturday (May 10), police received a call from ambulance staff who were concerned about the manner in which a white Kia was being driven in the Milford Haven area.

The vehicle had been seen swerving across the road.

Officers located the Kia as it entered Milford Haven and watched it turn right into Thornton Road, where it collided with a traffic barrier.

The driver identified himself as Jordan Wootton. As officers approached the vehicle, they could smell intoxicants. Wootton was also heard slurring his words, while an open bottle of alcohol was seen inside the vehicle.

Wootton, 28, of Conway Drive, Steynton, was arrested. Subsequent breath tests gave a lowest reading of 59mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Wootton was fined £430 and ordered to pay a £180 surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Crime

Dock man given suspended prison sentence for third drink-drive offence

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Disqualified driver was nearly twice the legal limit after being seen driving erratically in Range Rover

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after committing his third drink-driving offence in six years.

Neil Edmundson, 51, was reported to police on May 7 after a motorist saw him driving an orange Range Rover “in an erratic manner” along Lamphey Lodge Lane.

“He was driving towards her at an excessive speed and was driving erratically,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Edmundson was then seen entering a local petrol station, where he was said to smell strongly of alcohol.

He was later stopped by police officers but refused to provide a roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to a police station where he provided a breathalyser reading of 77mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

A police investigation established that Edmundson, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, had already been disqualified from driving following two previous drink-driving convictions in 2020 and 2024.

Appearing before magistrates this week, Edmundson pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without third party insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for five years.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must pay a £154 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Crime

Bulldog left permanently blind after prolonged neglect

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A BULLDOG was left permanently blind after suffering prolonged neglect by its owner, a court has heard.

George suffered substantial levels of suffering between July 12 and December 20, 2025, after his owner, Michael McGartland, failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment despite the animal’s significant decline.

McGartland, 70, of The Woodlands, Lower Level, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

District Judge Mark Layton said the seriousness of the offence meant an all-options probation report would be required before sentence.

McGartland will be sentenced on June 23.

He was released on unconditional bail.