Crime

Woman, 42, charged with murder following death of child, 7

Published

2 years ago

January 12, 2024

POLICE have confirmed this evening that a woman has been charged with murder following the death of a child in Haverfordwest.

42-year-old Papaipit Linse, born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was arrested at the scene, and has now been charged with murder.

She has been remanded in police custody to appear at court tomorrow in Swansea (Saturday, Jan 13).

Forensic investigators spent all of last night at a top-floor flat on Upper Market Street, following the death of a seven-year-old boy in Haverfordwest. Pembrokeshire’s county town is in shock after the incident, which led to the arrest of Linse, believed to be the mother of the child.

Police vans lined the street outside the mixed retail and residential building, where neighbours and passersby have started laying flowers.

A neighbour, who preferred to remain anonymous, described witnessing paramedics responding to the incident, a sight that he said he found deeply upsetting.

The police confirmed the arrest of the woman soon after the incident. Neighbours know her as a reserved Asian woman, a single mother raising two children under challenging circumstances.

The ground floor of the building, formerly a physiotherapy studio and gym known as TriExercise, is a familiar landmark in the town’s Upper Market Street. Dr. Sean Phelan, a 69-year-old hospital doctor living next door, expressed his shock, noting that the woman was always quite friendly, although he did not know her well.

He mentioned never seeing a man at the residence and described the children as well-looked-after and well-behaved.

The street was sealed off by police at approximately 10.45 am on Wednesday, following an emergency call.

This closure impacted local businesses, including a nearby Samaritans charity shop, which had to lock up for the day. The offices of Preseli-Pembrokeshire Welsh Assembly member Paul Davies and Preseli-Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb are also located just a few doors away from the scene.

Questions about why the child was at home, given that schools had reopened earlier in the week, add to the mystery surrounding the incident.

Lee Evans, 39, a resident opposite the property, commented on the changing atmosphere of the street, noting the woman’s reluctance to engage with neighbours.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson stated that the investigation into the circumstances leading to the child’s death is ongoing.

The police confirmed that the seven-year-old was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival on Wednesday.

Expressing condolences to the family, the spokesperson confirmed that a woman is in police custody on suspicion of murder.

This incident has left a profound impact on the Haverfordwest community, with many grappling to understand how such a tragedy could occur in their midst.

Our thoughts are with the bereaved at this tragic time.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over alleged Cardigan cocaine and cannabis supply

Published

4 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Court Reporter

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to Crown Court to face a series of alleged drug supply offences in Cardigan.

Harrison Casey, of Harebell Way, Brownsover, Rugby, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jul 2).

He faces six charges relating to alleged offences at Bridge Street, Cardigan, between April 7 and April 24, 2023.

The charges include being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a Class B drug.

Casey is also accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to supply, being concerned in an offer to supply THC edibles, and possessing flualpazolam, a Class C drug.

There were no pleas to the charges at this stage.

Magistrates sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Casey was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Family’s anguish as politicians raise fears over killer driver’s possible early release

Published

20 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WIDOW of a Carmarthenshire father killed by a dangerous driver has been left facing months of uncertainty after being told the man jailed over her husband’s death may fall under new sentencing rules.

Aaron Jones, 38, from Llanpumsaint, died while walking his dog on December 23, 2024. His death devastated his family and shocked the close-knit village community.

Daniel Douglas Wyke, from Carmarthen, later admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was jailed at Swansea Crown Court for four-and-a-half years and banned from driving for eight years and two months.

Now Aaron’s widow, Lisa Jones, has received correspondence indicating that Wyke may be affected by provisions introduced under the Sentencing Act 2026.

The family has been told it may not know until the end of August whether the changes will affect the time he spends in custody.

Ann Davies MP for Caerfyrddin and Nerys Evans MS for Sir Gaerfyrddin have now written to the Ministry of Justice seeking assurances that Aaron’s family will be heard during any review process.

They said the uncertainty had added further pain for a family already living with unimaginable loss.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with Lisa Jones, her family and the community of Llanpumsaint, who continue to endure unimaginable grief following the tragic loss of Aaron,” they said.

“To now face uncertainty over the sentence of the man responsible for his death adds further distress at an already devastating time.

“It is vital that the Ministry of Justice listens to victims and their families. Any move to shorten sentences in cases of this seriousness must be approached with the utmost caution and sensitivity.”

Nerys Evans MS said victims and their families must remain at the centre of the justice system.

She added: “We have written to the Ministry of Justice to seek assurance that the voice and view of Aaron’s family are able to be heard as part of any process to review the sentence.”

Ann Davies also raised the case in Westminster on Thursday, July 2.

Speaking in the House of Commons, she said her constituent Aaron Jones had been killed in a hit-and-run while walking his dog, and that his widow had since received a letter from the Ministry of Justice about sentence changes under the Sentencing Act 2026.

She asked whether ministers accepted that waiting until the end of August to learn whether Wyke could be released earlier than expected was causing further distress to victims’ families.

Sir Alan Campbell, Leader of the House of Commons, said he understood the sensitivity of the case and the distress caused to Aaron’s family.

He said: “These are difficult decisions, but I understand the point about assurances as far as they can be given to families.”

He added that he hoped the Ministry of Justice had heard the concerns and said he would raise the matter directly.

The Sentencing Act 2026 received Royal Assent in January. The Government says the reforms are intended to tackle prison overcrowding, increase the use of tougher community restrictions and make greater use of supervision and tagging after release.

However, the case has highlighted the anxiety caused to victims’ families when changes to release arrangements are communicated before the full impact on individual cases is known.

For Lisa Jones and her children, the question now is not only what decision will be made, but why they must wait weeks to find out.