News

Flo Evans: Was Cooper responsible?

Published

5 years ago

January 15, 2021

‘THE PEMBROKESHIRE MURDERS’, screened on ITV last week, brought renewed focus on John Cooper’s crimes.

The brutal killer’s crime spree, which started as early as 1961, left at least four dead, thirty homes burgled and two teenagers seriously sexually assaulted.

Many local people worry Cooper who, in 2011, was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, may have been responsible for more deaths.
In last week’s Herald, we took an in-depth look at two mysterious deaths in Llangolman in 1976.

However, there’s another death far closer to Cooper’s former stomping ground that the victim’s family believe could be connected to ‘The Bullseye Killer’.

Frail 77-year-old Flo Evans died in 1989, the same year the Dixons met their grisly ends on the coastal path near Little Haven.

Flo lived in Jordanston; a stone’s throw from Cooper’s house. Her home was right at the epicentre of Cooper’s burglary spree, which was ended by Operation Huntsman following a violent burglary in nearby Sardis.

During his interviews with Police during Operation Ottawa, Cooper mentioned Flo Evans’ name.

It later emerged that John Cooper and his wife, Pat, visited Flo and that John Cooper did odd-jobs in the pensioner’s home.

Flo liked the couple so much it’s believed she tried to help them secure nearby land for a small-holding.

Days after telling her friends that she couldn’t find her house keys Flo Evans was found dead in her bathtub.

Police reports said she was full-clothed.

At the time, Mrs Evans’ death was believed to be an accident. Investigators found a small cut on her head and concluded she had slipped and fallen into the bathtub, banged her head, and drowned.
Flo’s family never believed that version of events.

Talking to The Sun, Flo’s great-niece Rena Murphy said: “Aunt Flo was very set in her ways, she did things in a particular fashion.
“But the way she was found fully clothed in a cold bath and with no money in the house . . . we knew it was suspicious.”
Flo’s niece, Jean, said “Cooper knew my aunt. He visited her regularly and would have known there was always money in her handbag and more hidden upstairs.
“He lived across the fields from her, and that fits with the way he approached his other victims.
“We could never understand why Aunt Flo was found dead in the bath with all her clothes on.
“She always lit a fire in the kitchen to heat the water before taking a bath, and that fire wasn’t lit.”
“Money was missing, she didn’t have her false teeth in, the TV wasn’t switched off properly, and the front door was open.”
Jean went on: “Hopefully, the police will now reopen the case. It would give us some closure.”
Rena finished by saying: “Even if they never charge him, we will still have the satisfaction of knowing he is locked up for good.”

But that satisfaction hasn’t filtered into the local community.

Rumour and gossip continue to cloud the circumstances surrounding Flo’s mysterious death.
Local rumours place a black bicycle, thought to belong to John Cooper, leaning against a wall at Flo’s home in Rosemarket when she was found. Others claim that Flo was not fully clothed, but wearing just wellies when her body was discovered.

Dyfed-Powys Police refused to comment on speculation about individual pieces of evidence.
A Force spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police will examine any specific new information containing detailed knowledge or evidence. Any further decisions would be based on the results of the examination of that new material.
“There is no intention to re-investigate any incidents on speculation alone.”
That statement omits to mention one significant factor which led to the success of Operation Ottawa. As a result of Operation Huntsman, the burglaries for which Cooper spent ten years in prison after 1998, much of the material used to convict him of the Scoveston Manor and Coastal Path murders was already in Police possession.

As much as Cooper’s conviction resulted from dogged Police work, it also relied on forensic evidence in Dyfed-Powys Police’s possession for over a decade.

This week, South Wales Police announced a ‘forensic review’ into the 1999 Clydach Murders near Swansea.
It would be fitting for both Patti & Griff from Llangolman and Flo Evans to have their deaths’ forensically reviewed’.
You never know.

A police force’ short of luck’ while investigating the Scoveston and Dixon murders might unearth a wealth of information in the material it already has.
It did once before.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

8 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

18 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

18 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.