News
Mum of four feels ‘betrayed’ following partner’s death
A HAVERFORDWEST woman says she feels she has been betrayed by the UK Government, after her partner died at the age of 40 in suspicious circumstances in India in April 2014.
Alison Barker, a mother of four, says the Foreign Office did not support her after she was told her partner, Andrew Raymond Rodick, was found ‘badly decomposed’ wrapped inside a bed sheet, blue plastic bags and carpet next to a marketplace in New Dehli.
He had been in India for two months, which included stays in Mumbai, Goa and New Dehli.
Following a post-mortem, it was found that Mr Rodick died from deep injuries on his head and face, which were inflicted by heavy objects. It was suspected he was tortured before he died, as he was found with his hands and feet tied together, and there were burns found on his arms, head and face, thought to have been caused by cigarette stubs and a lighter.
He was identified by his passport, which was found ‘badly damaged’ inside his pocket.
Indian police first treated his death as potentially drug related, however said they didn’t have ‘any clues’, except that they knew more than one person had been involved in his murder.
Ms Barker says that she felt pressured by the Foreign Office to agree to his cremation in India, stating they were ‘absolutely useless’. She also had to pay a £1,500 bill in order to have his body cremated, and have his ashes returned to the UK.
Alison Barker: Still struggles to talk about Andrew’s death
Speaking to the BBC, she said: “I was by myself with three children and there was no help, nobody came round and said ‘this is what you have to do now’. I was grieving and making an attempt to be strong for my children.”
Ms Barker found out about her partner’s death when two Dyfed-Powys Police officers attended her home address to inform her. She obtained a partial copy of the post-mortem report two years later, after appealing to local MP, Stephen Crabb to help her. However, it didn’t detail any toxicology results or the cause of his death.
She was sent the remaining details from the post-mortem last week – more than four years after her partner was murdered. However, it stated that Mr Rodick passed away after being poisoned by pregbalin: A drug used to treat epilepsy and anxiety.
The drug was found in Mr Rodick’s jeans pocket.
Ms Barker has said she does not accept the findings of the report given to her by the Foreign Office, and is upset and angry that it took her so long to receive the report in the first place.
At the time Mr Rodick died, Ms Barker was left with twin 9-year-old girls and a 7-year-old son. She had been in a relationship with Mr Barker for 12 years.
She said: “He loved his children. He was a family man, he loved walking the dog, music trips. He made my autistic son a bow and arrow out of sticks.
“He would take the kids swimming and took them to Legoland – he did a lot of ‘dad and son’ things, putting him on his shoulders and taking him to the park.”
A friend of Mr Rodick’s, Mr Tynan, added: “He was always really nice to me. We spoke on Facebook but I didn’t know why he had decided to go over to India. For this to happen to him is really disgusting. I can’t believe anyone would do anything to someone like that.
“When you don’t know someone and you hear news like this you think ‘how tragic, but when you know that person it hits you a lot harder.
A spokesperson from The Foreign Office said: “Where a death has occurred in violent circumstance, we will raise our interest with the local authority in the relevant country and request regular updates on any investigation or trial.
“We welcome feedback from British nationals who have received consular assistance and use that feedback to improve our services and staff training so we can provide the best possible assistance.”
A MAN from St Davids is facing serious allegations of domestic abuse, including physical assault and coercive control, spanning more than two years.
Ryan Bowen, aged 44, of Nun Street, appeared in court accused of controlling and abusive behaviour towards his partner between August 2019 and January 2022.
Bowen is alleged to have physically assaulted the woman by slamming a car door on her leg, punching her in the ribs, and pushing her. The court also heard he verbally abused her, belittled her as a mother, and threatened to kill her.
It is further alleged he controlled her finances, dictated what she wore, where she could sleep, and where she was allowed to work.
Prosecutors also claimed he threatened to take her children away and told her he would kill himself if she ever left him.
Bowen has denied the charges.
Judge Paul Thomas KC asked defence barrister Dyfed Thomas whether his client would consider pleading guilty to any lesser charges. Mr Thomas responded that Bowen was “adamant” the allegations were untrue and would not be changing his plea.
A trial has been listed for December 9. Bowen was granted bail until that date.
THE FORMER Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police, Richard Lewis, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Mr Lewis, who also led Cleveland Police and held national portfolios for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), will take up his new role on 16 June 2025. He succeeds Dr Jenny Stewart, who has served as interim Chief Executive since July last year.
The APHA is responsible for safeguarding animal and plant health across the UK, working to protect the environment, support the rural economy, and ensure the UK meets international biosecurity standards.
Mr Lewis said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed Chief Executive of APHA. Now more than ever, the UK needs a strong, science-led Animal and Plant Health Agency.
“From protecting our borders against animal and plant threats to unlocking opportunities for trade and growth, I’m excited to champion APHA’s vital work — and to lead alongside the world-class scientists and experts who make it possible.”
During his policing career, Mr Lewis was awarded a commendation for distinguished service and was widely respected for his leadership on rural affairs in Wales. He has worked on issues including habitat protection, tackling rural crime, and addressing mental health challenges in agricultural communities.
The APHA is an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government.
MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL will hold a Full Council meeting on Monday (April 28) at 7:00pm at the Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets Unit on Havens Head Business Park.
Councillors will be asked to review a packed agenda, with items ranging from committee reports and planning matters to the election of the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2025-2026 municipal year.
Current Mayor, Councillor W. Elliott, will chair the session, which includes updates on recent engagements by councillors, feedback from outside body representation, and financial matters relating to the town council’s accounts and expenditure for the past year.
The council will receive and discuss minutes from recent sub-committee meetings, including the Public Events Sub-Committee (April 22) and the Standing Orders Sub-Committee (April 23), as well as a review of the council’s insurance, financial regulations, and standing orders.
Financial accountability is a major theme of the meeting, with members set to review the Statement and Schedule of Accounts for March 2025 and a summary of expenditure covering April 2024 to March 2025. Applications for financial assistance from Milford Haven Men’s Shed and Milford Haven Round Table will also be considered.
Two councillors, V. Hammett and M. Woodward, have put their names forward for the role of Deputy Mayor, while the Mayor’s position for the forthcoming year will also be decided.
Later in the agenda, members will vote on whether to move into private session to consider confidential matters, including reports from informal meetings regarding the long-term future of Milford Haven Library. Representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven have taken part in these discussions.
As per legislation under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, remote access will be made available to members of the public upon request.
The Herald will be following the outcomes of the meeting and providing updates online
Paddleboarding boss jailed for ten years after deaths of four in river tragedy
Judge condemns ‘flagrant disregard’ for safety as four families left devastated by tour leader’s fatal failings THE OWNER of a...
Drugs, deaths and drones: Damning report highlights crisis at Parc Prison
NEARLY 900 DRUG FINDS, 17 DEATHS IN A YEAR, AND INMATES LOCKED UP FOR 21 HOURS A DAY A DAMNING...
Dŵr Cymru loses 251 million litres each day due to leaks
Welsh Lib Dems slam water firms as millions of litres leaked daily WELSH Liberal Democrats have criticised Dŵr Cymru and...
Search continues for missing sailor in Irish Sea
THE SEARCH for a man who went overboard from a UK-registered yacht in the Irish Sea entered its third day...
Pope Francis Dies at 88: Tributes pour in for a Pontiff of compassion and reform
REQUIEM MASSES TO BE HELD ACROSS WALES POPE FRANCIS, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and...
Search continues for man overboard from UK yacht in Irish Sea
A MAJOR search and rescue operation is under way in the Irish Sea after a man went overboard from a...
Calls for urgent sale of Oakwood site amid trespasser fears
CONCERNS have been raised about trespassers entering the closed Oakwood theme park, prompting calls for a swift sale of the...
Reform candidate co-opted to town council — graffiti appears days later
A MAN who recently lost a by-election standing for the Reform UK party has been co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council...
Body found in tent in Pembrokeshire woodland
Death not believed to be suspicious POLICE are investigating the unexplained death of a man whose body was discovered in...
West Wales sewage crisis: New calls for accountability amid environmental concerns
THE SEWAGE pollution crisis engulfing West Wales continues to deepen, with new data and growing public pressure exposing serious environmental...
-
Community3 days agoWarning after suspected drug-related incidents in Haverfordwest
-
Crime11 hours ago
Paddleboarding boss jailed for ten years after deaths of four in river tragedy
-
Charity6 days agoBusinessman ‘honoured’ to become Wales Air Ambulance’s first business ambassador
-
Charity6 days agoCharity distances itself from viral post as £4,000 theft claim goes viral
-
News3 days ago
Search continues for man overboard from UK yacht in Irish Sea
-
Crime6 days agoTwo men sentenced for vicious crimes against badgers.
-
Crime1 day ago
Guide condemned as ‘arrogant’ after paddleboarding tragedy claims four lives
-
Community5 days ago
West Wales sewage crisis: New calls for accountability amid environmental concerns