News

Sect members guilty of preventing burial

Published

12 years ago

February 27, 2014

THREE PEOPLE belonging to a religious sect who covered up the death of Geoffrey Sturdey for almost five years were jailed by a judge at Swansea Crown Court on Monday.

His widow, Rebekah Ladan Sturdey, aged 56, did it so that they could continue to claim £77,000 of his benefits for her and a friend.

Co-defendant Boqer-Ore Adie, aged 43, also admitted preventing lawful burial and benefit fraud, was also jailed for 20 months.

A third defendant, Carmel Adie, aged 25, was given a nine-month jail sentence suspended for a year with 150 hours unpaid work after admitting preventing Mr Sturdey’s lawful burial.

The group were members of a “hybrid” religious sect based on Judaism and the Old Testament and the court heard how the sect members, who called Mr Sturdey ‘Shamar’ (Hebrew for ‘keeper’ or ‘guardian’), expected Jesus to return to earth seven days after his death.

Mr Sturdey’s body was eventually found by Dyfed-Powys Police on the farm in 2013 following an extensive £20,000 search involving aerial photographs, ground penetrating radar and forensic archaeology, buried near a poly tunnel on the farm.

Detective Inspector Steve Davies said: “This was an unusual and protracted investigation that came about following concerns raised by the Department of Work and Pensions in relation to the whereabouts of Mr Geoffrey Howard Sturdey.

“As an organisation we then worked closely with the Department of Work and Pensions to conduct a thorough investigation. The body of Mr Sturdey was discovered in the grounds of his remote home on June 17, 2013. “Following a professional and thorough investigation and joint working with the CPS, Boqer-OreAdie, Rebekah Ladan Sturdey, Hazel Adie and Karmel Adie were charged with conspiracy to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a dead body and fraud.

“Due to the level of evidence produced following a thorough and complex investigation the four involved all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a dead body, and four counts of fraud in Swansea Crown Court in December 2013.

“Boqer-ore Adie has today been sentenced to 20 months for the unlawful burial, and 20 months for fraud to run concurrent. Rebekah Ladan Sturdey was sentenced to 20 months for the unlawful burial, and 20 months for fraud to run concurrent. Both were given 25% credit for their guilty pleas. Karmel Adie was given a 12 months suspended sentence for the unlawful burial and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

“This demonstrates that in our society people will not get away with the unlawful burial of a deceased person who then carry on to benefit from continuing to claim that persons benefits or money. A Proceeds of Crime Act application is also being pursued in relation to this case”.

“We have kept the family of Mr Sturdey informed throughout the investigation and we hope that today’s sentence brings them some sort of comfort and a sense of closure.”

Crime

Police probe ball bearing damage in Haverfordwest

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating reports of criminal damage in Haverfordwest after suspected metal ball bearings were used to damage a vehicle and a property.

Dyfed-Powys Police said damage was caused to the wing mirror of a blue Range Rover Evoque on Glenfields Road sometime between 11:10am and 11:20am on Sunday, May 10.

Officers believe metal ball bearings may have been used.

A second incident was reported at around 2:30pm on Tuesday, May 12, when the window of a property on Glenfields Road was allegedly struck by a suspected metal ball bearing.

Police said local officers are continuing to speak with residents after receiving a number of calls about ball bearings being found in the Glenfields Road and Old Hakin Road areas.

Anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information that could help the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 26*375605.

Crime

Stolen vehicle investigation after late-night crash in Waterston

Published

3 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A VEHICLE involved in a late-night single-vehicle crash in Waterston, Milford Haven, is believed to have been stolen, police have confirmed.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a report of the collision at around 11:55pm on Sunday (May 17).

The vehicle was recovered at approximately 1:15am on Monday (May 18), but nobody was found at the scene.

Following enquiries, police established that the vehicle had reportedly been stolen at some point during Sunday evening.

Officers said enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

News

Labour names Senedd spokesperson team after election defeat

Published

3 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ken Skates says group will focus on holding new Welsh Government to account

INTERIM Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates has unveiled the party’s Senedd spokesperson team following its defeat in the recent election.

Mr Skates will act as interim leader of Welsh Labour and spokesperson for health, care and national security.

He said the Labour group would draw on “extensive experience” while bringing “fresh energy and ideas” to its work in opposition.

The party said its Senedd group was committed to holding the new Welsh Government to account and pushing for practical results for the people of Wales.

Jayne Bryant MS has been appointed spokesperson for housing, communities, public and preventative health, with women’s health also included in her brief.

Mike Hedges MS will cover culture, sport, local government and legislation.

Vikki Howells MS becomes Chief Whip and spokesperson for environment, farming, energy and transport. Her portfolio also includes planning.

Lynne Neagle MS has been named Business Manager and spokesperson for children, education and lifelong learning.

Shav Taj MS will cover employment, equalities and economic transformation, including social partnership.

Huw Thomas MS has been appointed spokesperson for finance, democracy, citizenship and the Welsh language. Regional and city deals will also fall within his brief.

Welsh Labour said Sarah Murphy’s portfolio will be announced when she returns from maternity leave.

A photo call with the Welsh Labour Senedd Group is due to take place in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday (May 19), although no interviews will be available.