News
Grandmother tried to ‘fight off’ grandson as he smothered her
BETTY GUY tried to fight off her grandson as he smothered her with a pillow, a jury heard this morning (Jan 11).
Barry Rogers stopped for a while to drink a glass of whiskey but returned and again placed the pillow over her face.
This time ‘she passed away’, said Sandra Adams, a former partner of Rogers.
Rogers, aged 33, of High Street, Fishguard, and his mother, Penelope John, 50, of Maes Dre, Union Terrace, St Dogmaels, are on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of murdering 84 year old Mrs Guy at her home in Hillcroft, Johnston, in the early hours of November 7, 2011.
The prosecution claim they had decided ‘it was time for her to go’. John is accused of feeding her tablets and whiskey and Rogers of ‘finishing her off’ with the pillow.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Miss Adams today told the jury about what Rogers had told her of Mrs Guy’s death.
She said she had attended Barn Street junior school along with Rogers but lost touch after they were to different secondary schools.
In late 2014 he suddenly ‘poked’ her on Facebook and they began to exchange messages. They met in person on January 3, 2015, and about three weeks later became boyfriend and girlfriend.
Miss Adams said they wanted a relationship based on ‘no secrets, no lies’ and confided in each other.
Rogers, she said, told her he had killed someone but she was not shocked at first because she knew he had been in the Army.
But he told her it had been his grandmother.
Miss Adams said Rogers told her that late on November 6 John had telephoned him and and told him ‘it was time and he had to say his goodbyes’.
“He said he drove to Johnston. They gave her her medication and waited for it to kick in. Then he placed a pillow over her face and smothered her.
“The grandmother was fighting back and he stopped. He had a glass of whiskey and went back to her a second time and placed the pillow over her face.
“She passed away then.
“There was just himself and Penny in the room.
“After she had passed he had another glass of whiskey and one of them called for the police or an ambulance.”
Miss Adams said Rogers told her that a police officer noticed bruising around Mrs Guy’s mouth but that a doctor had said the marks were consistent with the illness that she had.
Miss Adams said Rogers repeated the story several times over the following months.
She said Rogers had told her the funeral had been ‘rushed’. Rogers and John had wanted her body cremated but other siblings wanted her to be buried next to her husband.
A postmortem was not carried out and Mrs Guy’s body was cremated at Narberth only four days after her death.
Miss Adams triggered the murder investigation when she went to police in November 2015, and told officers what Rogers had said to her.
Cross examined by Rogers’ barrister, Christopher Henley, Miss Adams agreed she had told police she considered Rogers to be a compulsive liar and an attention seeker.
The trial continues.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
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
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
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.
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