News

Grandmother was ‘finished off’ by mother and son

Published

7 years ago

January 10, 2018

PENNY JOHN used her own sleeping tablets to try and kill her mother Betty Guy, a jury heard today (Jan 10).

And when that didn’t work her son Barry Rogers ‘finished off his grandmother’ by placing a pillow over her face, it was alleged.

A jury at Swansea Crown Court heard that the couple were later secretly tape recorded talking about John crushing tablets of Zopiclone and giving them to her mother in whiskey.

But, said Paul Lewis QC, prosecuting, Mrs Guy had never been prescribed Zopiclone–but John had.

The prosecution allege that John, aged 50, of Maes Dre, Union Terrace, St Dogmaels, and Rogers, 33, of High Street, Fishguard, had decided “it was time for 84 year old Mrs Guy to go.”

They deny murdering Mrs Guy on November 7, 2011, at her home in Hillcroft, Johnston, near Haverfordwest.

Mr Lewis said: “It may well be that she was unwell, elderly and frail. But the law still does not permit the killing of one person by another.

“We submit that what the defendants did, and whatever their motivation, was wholly unlawful and each of them is therefore guilty of her murder.”

The jury heard today from Mary Collier, a close friend of Ms Guy who lived five minutes walk from her home and who had a key to her two bedroom bungalow.

She said she worked two days a week with Mrs Guy in a charity shop in Johnston.

Mrs Collier said about 9pm on November 6 she called in on Mrs Guy, a former nurse, and found her ill and in bed.

“She said she had had enough and wanted to go. I had never heard her say anything like that before. She was a lovely woman, full of life.”

Mrs Collier telephoned John who said she would drive to Johnston immediately and she returned to her own home.

In the early hours of the following morning John telephoned her to say Mrs Guy had died.

Mrs Collier returned to the house and a police officer was already there.

The prosecution claim that after arriving in Johnston, John had telephoned Rogers, who was then living in Frome in Somerset with his partner Rhianne Morris.

Miss Morris later told police she heard Rogers say to John: “It’s time, is it?”

Rogers then drove to Johnston and, according to the prosecution, he and his mother put into action their plan to end Mrs Guy’s life.

Mr Lewis said at first Mrs Guy’s death was put down to natural causes and her body was cremated soon afterwards.

But in the following years, he alleged, Rogers made a series of confessions to several people.

After their initial arrest they had been granted police bail on the condition that Rogers lived with his mother in St Dogmaels.

By then officers had bugged the house and John was tape recorded saying to Rogers, “No..I can’t remember. Did I text you when I said I crushed Diazepam up and I crushed Zopiclone up and I put it in her (indecipherable).”

Mr Lewis said the pair had become concerned that they had sent each other text messages which the police might be able to recover.

The trial continues.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

9 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

16 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

17 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.