News

Mother and son guilty: Barry Rogers and Penny John convicted of murder

Published

8 years ago

February 6, 2018

BARRY ROGERS and his mother Penny John were convicted this afternoon of murdering 84 year Betty Guy at her home in Johnston.

They were told immediately that at the sentencing hearing on Thursday morning they will receive life sentences.

The only question to be decided, said the judge, was the minimum number of years they must spend in jail before being allowed to apply for parole.

Rogers, aged 33, held his head in his hands and wept after the jury forewoman announced the unanimous verdicts.

John, aged 50, sat stoney faced and showed no emotion.

John was remanded in custody until the sentencing hearing. Rogers has been in custody throughout the trial at Swansea crown court.

The judge, Mr Justice Lewis, praised the jury for carrying out their duty “magnificently” and described the case as having been emotional and complex.

He said he would study sentences passed by other judges for mercy killings before deciding on the minimum terms.

He will also listen to pleas of mitigation by the couple’s barristers.

Rogers and John killed Mrs Guy–his grandmother and her mother–because she was too old and suffered from ill health.

John mixed sedatives–including her own sleeping tablets–with whiskey and gave the mixture to her mother in the early hours of November 7, 2011.

That failed to kill her and Rogers, a former soldier, “finished her off” by placing a pillow over her face.

At first her death was believed to have been from natural causes and Mrs Guy’s body was cremated at Narberth just four days later.

But Rogers could not keep his mouth shut and over the coming years told various women, including his one time wife, that he and his mother had killed her.

After they had been arrested detectives devised a clever plan to trap them.

Although they were living at different addresses police agreed to grant them bail as long as they both stayed at John’s home in Maes Dre, Union Terrace, St Dogmaels.

Officers drove them to the address to make sure they abided by the bail conditions.

By then a listening device had been placed in the property–and as soon as they walked through the door they began talking about what they had done.

It was five years after they had killed Mrs Guy and neither could remember if they had swapped mobile telephone text messages that the police might be able to retrieve.

Rogers became worried his mother was “starting to crack” and urged her to stick to their story that Mrs Guy had died from old age.

But the jury saw through it.

Crime

Police probe ball bearing damage in Haverfordwest

Published

3 hours 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

5 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

5 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.