News

Paramedics struggled for 46 minutes to try to save Natasha Bradbury

Published

8 years ago

September 2, 2016

nbrad PARAMEDICS struggled for 46 minutes to try and bring Natasha Bradbury back to life, a jury heard on this afternoon (Sept 2)

They applied CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for more than twice the recommended length of time in the hope of saving her.

But, argued the prosecution at Swansea Crown Court, she had already been beaten to death by her on-off boyfriend Luke George Jones.

Jones, aged 33, a pipe welder, of Haven Drive, Milford Haven, denies murdering Miss Bradbury in the early hours of February 22 at her flat in Imperial Court, High Street, Haverfordwest.

The jury heard today from paramedic Alan Thomas, who was the first to arrive after Jones had dialled 999 and told ambulance control she was not breathing and that her body was already “freezing cold.”

The jury also heard for a second time a recording of the 15 minute call, during which Jones had difficulty explaining where he was.

Eventually, he had to find a letter received by Miss Bradbury and read the address to ambulance control.

Even then Mr Thomas and his colleague had difficulty identifying the location because Flat A was not marked on the front door and was in fact a four storey high building.

Mr Thomas said he had to knock “hard” on the door three times before Jones responded.

He said Jones appeared to be calm but he had a small cut on his left knee and both his hands were blood stained.

Mr Thomas said Jones was bare chested and wore just a pair of shorts. He told them, “It’s my girlfriend.” Then he said she had taken Valium, or too much Valium.

“I asked him where the patient was and he said upstairs, but he was reluctant to lead the way and I walked up ahead of him,” said Mr Thomas.

As the paramedics made their way up the flights of stairs they noticed blood smears and various items strewn on the stairs, including a cabinet.

Inside the lounge on the third floor, he said, there was “glass all over the floor” and he could see that the screen of a television set had been broken.

Miss Bradbury was lying on her back and was very pale. There was blood around her mouth and dried blood inside her nostrils.

And the fingers of her left hand appeared to be misshaped as if they had been fractured.

“There were no obvious signs of life, no pulse,” he added.

A second ambulance crew arrived and Jones was asked to wait outside the lounge.

The paramedics tried a combination of CPR and drugs for 46 minutes but without gaining any response from Miss Bradbury, who was just five feet two inches tall and weighed less than seven stones.

“We decided that she had died. We all agreed she had passed away and it was pointless carrying on,” he added.

Cross examined by Chris Clee QC, the barrister leading Jones’ defence team, Mr Thomas said he was aware that CPR was a vigorous measure that could itself cause injury including fractures to the ribs and even to the breast bone.

But he had 20 years experience as a paramedic and was aware of the dangers.

The prosecution claim that Jones beat Miss Bradbury to death shortly after finding out she had slept with another man.

After his arrest Jones gave police prepared statements in which he said Miss Bradbury had caused the injuries herself by falling down.

The trial continues.

Crime

US bombing suspect ‘found in Wales’ 21 years on

Published

12 mins ago

November 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ONE of America’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Wales, 21 years after a double bombing in San Francisco.

Daniel Andreas San Diego, 46, was detained on Monday following a joint operation involving counter-terrorism officers, North Wales Police, and Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

San Diego, described by the FBI as an “animal rights extremist,” was apprehended at a remote property near woodland in rural north Wales. He now faces extradition to the United States to face charges related to two bombings in California in 2003.

Fugitive for over two decades

FBI Director Christopher Wray said:”Daniel San Diego’s arrest after more than 20 years as a fugitive for two bombings in the San Francisco area shows that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable.”

He added: “There’s a right way and a wrong way to express your views in our country, and turning to violence and destruction of property is not the right way.”

The NCA confirmed San Diego was arrested at the request of US authorities. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Tuesday, where extradition proceedings began.

An NCA spokesperson said: “He was remanded in custody.”

First domestic terrorist on FBI’s most wanted list

San Diego, born in Berkeley, California, was the first alleged domestic terrorist added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list. The agency previously offered a $250,000 (£199,000) reward for information leading to his arrest.

He was wanted for allegedly bombing two office buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The first bombing occurred on 28 August 2003, outside the Chiron Life Science Center in Emeryville, California. Authorities later discovered a second bomb at the scene, which detonated before it could be defused, raising concerns that it was planted to target first responders.

Less than a month later, in September 2003, a nail bomb exploded outside a nutritional products corporation in Pleasanton, California.

Long-standing charges

In July 2004, San Diego was indicted by the United States District Court in the Northern District of California for his alleged involvement in the bombings.

The case remained unsolved until this week’s arrest, ending two decades of pursuit by the FBI and law enforcement agencies across the globe.

Crime

Parents urged to consider legal risks before buying e-scooters this Christmas

Published

27 mins ago

November 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PARENTS are being urged to reconsider purchasing e-scooters as Christmas gifts due to legal restrictions and potential risks. While the devices might appear to be a fun and exciting present, Dyfed-Powys Police caution that they could lead to significant legal and financial consequences.

In the UK, privately owned e-scooters are only legal to use on private land with the landowner’s permission. Riding them on public roads, pavements, parks, or cycle paths is prohibited and considered an offence. Parents should be aware that they could face prosecution if their child uses an e-scooter illegally.

E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), meaning riders can be charged with several offences. These may result in fines of up to £300, six penalty points on a driving licence, and confiscation of the e-scooter. Drivers who passed their test within the last two years risk disqualification and may need to retake their theory and practical tests.

“Understand the rules and risks”

Sergeant Dave Mallin of Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We understand that e-scooters may seem like a fun and exciting gift idea, but it’s important to understand the rules and risks that come with them. Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, pavements, or cycle paths. Their speed and silence can pose a significant danger to other road users and pedestrian safety, especially vulnerable pedestrians.

“Many people are unaware of the restrictions on e-scooters, and while retailers may be happy to sell one to you, it could be seized the moment you attempt to use it in a public place.”

Riders must also be over 16 and hold a full or provisional licence for a car, motorbike, or moped. While some parts of the UK operate rental e-scooter trials under strict conditions, these schemes are not available in the Dyfed-Powys area.

“Zero tolerance this Christmas”

Sgt Mallin added: “Dyfed-Powys Police operates a zero-tolerance approach to e-scooters, and we would urge parents to think twice about buying e-scooters as presents this Christmas. Consider a safer and more appropriate gift.”

For more information about e-scooter regulations and safe usage, visit Dyfed-Powys Police’s advice page.

Business

Haverfordwest butcher wins best banger in Wales

Published

1 hour ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PRENDERGAST BUTCHERS in Haverfordwest has taken the top prize for the best sausage in Wales, at the prestigious ‘Put Your Best Sausage Forward 2024’ competition.

Organised by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, the award celebrates the artisan Welsh pork industry, which is defined by smaller scale and specialised farms and producers.

The award-winning family butchers is run by Chris and Rachel Wolsey, along with their two sons Tom and Mark.

The family have been farming in Pembrokeshire for almost 50 years, and took over the shop some seven years ago. In that time, the business has been transformed and consistently wins awards for the quality of its offering, including being named the best butcher in Wales at the UK-wide Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards.

Announced at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Show, not only was their Prendergast Gold sausage named the best banger in Wales, but their Merry Cherry entry also reigned supreme in the newly introduced Best Christmas Sausage category.

Speaking of his pride at winning both awards, Chris Wolsey said, “Having made the shortlist for the two previous years and just missing out on the top prize, it’s fantastic to have finally taken the crown. To win the best Christmas sausage as well is just the icing on top.

“Everyone in the shop is over the moon. Both entries are a combination of the family doing a lot of trialling and tasting, and getting the sausages to the point where we feel they would be appealing to our customers. My preference is for a sausage with very high pork content, and which just has the bare minimum of seasoning, hand mixed and with a natural casing. When you have an amazing product, like locally reared pork in Wales, then you want that to be the star of the show and the main flavour.

“In my opinion, pork from Wales is superior. The flavour, husbandry and smaller scale farms sets us apart from the larger, more industrial method of farming. At Prendergast Butchers, we know exactly where all our meat comes from, it’s fully traceable and we work closely with our customers and farmers to get the product exactly as they want it.”

Philippa Gill, Brand Engagement Lead at Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, commented, “We are thrilled that Prendergast Butchers took not just one, but both awards at this year’s competition.

“The standards continue to be high, and highlight some of the quality, artisan products that are available locally to people in Wales.

“Our small-scale producers offer unique, hand-reared products, often available directly or from local shops like Prendergast Butchers. With fewer food miles, it’s often a more sustainable choice, in addition to helping keep money in the local economy. We would strongly encourage people to seek out their local pork producer and give them a try.”

For more information on pork produced in Wales, and where you can buy it, visit porcblasus.cymru.