News
Mother and son jailed for life with 11 year minimum term
BARRY ROGERS and Penny John have been jailed for life for the murder of Betty Guy.
Each must serve a minimum of 11 years before being allowed to apply for parole.
Mrs Guy ‘loved life’ and ‘loved a little giggle’, her daughter Lorraine Matthews has said in a victim impact statement.
The statement read by Jim Davis, for the prosecution, at Swansea Crown Court, said: “We grieved once after her death and now we have to go through a different kind of grief.”
Ms Matthews said she was ‘shocked that a member of my own family is capable of committing such a despicable act on an old lady’.
She added: “My mother was in no way ill enough to warrant a mercy (killing).
“I had spoken to her doctor some months before and was reassured of her health… I find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that her life ended before it should have naturally.”
Christopher Henley, QC, for Barry Rogers, said the ‘only way of explaining what happened is as a mercy killing’.
He said Rogers loved Mrs Guy ‘deeply and truly’.
“There’s no direct evidence of this but there appears to be a solid basis to believe that Betty Guy was a participant in discussions about what happened,” he added.
Mr Henley urged the court to act with ‘a degree of compassion’.
Sentencing Rogers and John, Mr Justice Lewis said they committed the murder ‘on a belief, a misguided belief, held by each of you that the murder was an act of mercy’.
He said: “Mrs Guy was not terminally ill.
“She did not have any form of cancer. Mrs Guy had mobility problems but she was not bed-bound.
“She was in pain and had been prescribed a painkiller but there’s no evidence at all to suggest that Mrs Guy was suffering unbearable pain.
“You did not therefore kill Mrs Guy because she had, or you believed she had, a terminal illness.
“Again this was not a case where Mrs Guy was suffering or you believed she was suffering in unbearable pain and you wanted to bring that pain to an end… you believed Mrs Guy was old and ill and wanted to die and you believed that you should end her life.
Mr Justice Lewis said Rogers and John had both agreed to end the life of Mrs Guy.
He said: “You each had your role to play.
“You, Ms John, decided that the time had come to kill your mother.
“You arranged for your son to come and carry out the killing, you gave your mother drugs, intending to sedate her.
“You, Barry Rogers, were the one to place the pillow over Mrs Guy’s face and to suffocate her.”
Mr Justice Lewis said Mrs Guy was a ‘cheerful, lively and well-liked person’.
News
Tigers second division Cup Champions
In a thrilling Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup final under the floodlights of Bridge Meadow Stadium, fans witnessed an epic battle between Monkton Swifts reserves and Johnston. Despite Monkton Swifts reserves being touted as favorites, Johnston proved their mettle from the outset.
The game kicked off with a burst of energy as Johnston’s center half, Craig Bendall, seized an early opportunity to put his team ahead just ten minutes into the match. However, Monkton Swifts’ prolific Scotsman, Davis, swiftly responded with an equalizer, showcasing the resilience of the favourites.
The momentum shifted again when the dynamic duo of Alfie and Scott Crawford of Johnston orchestrated a beautifully executed goal, putting Johnston back in the lead at 2-1.
As the game progressed, Monkton Swifts brought in reinforcements, including Ben Steele, to regain control. Their efforts paid off when Jordan Kilby leveled the score at 2-2 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
But the Crawfords had other plans. Combining once more, Scott provided the assist for Alfie, who coolly finished to put Johnston ahead once again.
With time running out, Monkton Swifts launched a relentless onslaught in search of an equalizer. However, Johnston’s defense held firm, defying the odds to clinch the Division Two Cup title in a memorable victory.
The match showcased the passion and determination of both teams, with Johnston emerging as deserving champions in a fiercely contested final at Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Crime
Police investigating attempted burglary at Haverfordwest shop
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are investigating an attempted burglary at No.37 Food and Wine shop on High Street, Haverfordwest, at about 3am on Wednesday, April 3.
A window was smashed and the door handle broken.
Police said: “If you have any information that could help enquiries, please get in touch with PC 195 Tayler, either by: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
“Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”
News
Don’t forget to vote on Thursday, May 2
THURSDAY, May 2 is your chance to vote for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner.
Don’t forget to use your vote and head to your local polling station between 7am and 10pm.
They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the police force to account on their behalf.
A Police and Crime Commissioner’s job is to set the police budget and make sure it is spent effectively, appoint the local police forces Chief Constables, set police and crime plans in collaboration with residents and work closely with the local council and other organisations on these plans.
This is the first election in Wales where you will need photographic ID to vote.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport or drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Or you may have applied for a Voter Authority Certificate which is also accepted.
If you plan on taking your Postal Vote to a polling station or County Hall main reception remember to fill in a vote return form. Without the completed form those postal vote(s) will be rejected.
You can only hand in your own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people.
You can find out more about the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections online (opens in new window).
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