News

Anthropologist sues Dyfed-Powys Police over assisted suicide arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2024

AN ANTHROPOLOGIST who accompanied a British woman to Switzerland for assisted suicide has launched a high court claim against Dyfed-Powys Police. Miranda Tuckett, who was conducting doctoral research on Britons travelling to Switzerland to end their lives, is suing for false imprisonment, breach of academic freedoms, and assault and battery.

Tuckett was arrested in London by four officers and driven overnight to a west Wales police station. There, she was held in a cell for 11 hours before undergoing a six-month investigation. This incident has also drawn in Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who intervened in his then capacity as a constituency MP, urging the police to release Tuckett.

**Under fire: Dyfed-Powys Police is facing court action**

The woman Tuckett was studying, Sharon Johnston, 59, had been paralysed in a fall and chose assisted suicide to avoid a life dependent on constant care. Tuckett accompanied her to Switzerland as part of her PhD research at a New York university.

Evidence collected by the police included taxi records, CCTV from Johnston’s care home, and national traffic cameras. Tuckett was arrested on suspicion of assisting suicide, a charge that can carry a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.

On 15 February 2022, after returning from Zurich where she witnessed Johnston’s death, Tuckett was detained by officers in North London. They seized her computer and research materials, transporting her five hours to Wales. There, she was fingerprinted, held “incommunicado,” and questioned.

**Miranda Tuckett is bringing a claim for damages for false imprisonment, breach of her academic freedoms and assault** (Image: The Guardian)

Dyfed-Powys Police had previously issued a missing persons report when Johnston left her care home, repeatedly contacting her during her journey to Switzerland. Swiss authorities were even alerted, resulting in armed police visiting the Dignitas facility a day before Johnston’s death.

Despite multiple assurances from Johnston that her decision was voluntary, Tuckett claims the police interference caused Johnston significant distress in her final days. Tuckett noted that Johnston’s demeanour changed after the police calls, describing her as stressed and flustered.

Another individual, Sue Lawford, who accompanied Johnston and supports the pro-assisted dying campaign group My Death, My Decision, was also arrested. She is suing the police for unlawful arrest, highlighting the National Police Chiefs’ Council guidelines which recommend interviewing suspects under caution as voluntary attendees rather than arresting them.

This case underscores the inconsistent application of UK assisted dying laws. While some individuals face no police scrutiny, others are subject to intense investigations, reflecting the tension between public interest considerations and the legal prohibition of assisting suicide in England and Wales.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, then Leader of the Opposition, wrote to the Dyfed-Powys Chief Constable expressing his concerns about Tuckett’s detention. He argued that the case did not meet the Crown Prosecution Service’s public interest test for assisted suicide charges.

Downing Street has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. Starmer, who has previously expressed personal support for changing assisted dying laws, promised a free vote in parliament on the issue.

Despite police logs indicating that Johnston had full capacity and was not coerced, Dyfed-Powys Police proceeded with Tuckett’s arrest. Tuckett alleges that the police’s conduct caused her psychiatric injury, humiliation, and a significant delay in her academic work due to the confiscation of her research materials.

Nathan Stilwell, a spokesperson for My Death, My Decision, criticised the police’s actions, stating: “The treatment of Sue and Miranda was wrong – indeed, it went against the police’s own guidance at the time. Nobody who acts out of compassion for someone in need should face such drastic consequences.”

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police stated: “In February 2022 two women were arrested on suspicion of encouraging suicide following the death of Sharon Johnston. They were arrested after enquiries were commenced in Cardigan into reports of a female missing from her home. Following an investigation, the two women were told they would face no further action in August 2022. Further comment would be inappropriate due to the ongoing litigation.”

Pictured top of page: Sharon Johnston at a Dignitas facility shortly before she took her own life. Sue Lawford, on the right, was arrested upon her return to the UK. (Photo: Handout)

Business

Llangwm brewery closes after entering liquidation

Published

16 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SMALL Pembrokeshire brewing company has been formally wound up after its owners concluded the business could no longer continue.

Black Tar Brewing Co Ltd, which was registered in Llangwm, entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation following a meeting of company members on February 27, 2026.

The meeting was held at the Swansea offices of Stones & Co Insolvency Practitioners, where Gareth Stones was appointed to oversee the closure.

The company’s registered address was at Gail Rise in Llangwm, near Haverfordwest, and official records listed its activities as beer manufacturing.

No public details have yet been released about the size of the business, the value of its assets or the amount owed to creditors.

As liquidator, Mr Stones will now take control of the company’s affairs, identify any remaining assets and determine whether funds are available for those owed money.

Creditors are expected to receive further information as the process develops.

The liquidation was initiated by the company rather than through a court order, meaning its members voted to bring trading to an end and place its finances in the hands of an insolvency practitioner.

A public notice connected to the closure directs creditors and other interested parties to Stones & Co for further information.

The winding-up brings an end to the Llangwm-registered brewery, although the company’s recent level of trading and the number of people connected to the business remain unclear.

Crime

Murder investigation launched into death of Pembrokeshire man in 1991

Published

18 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.

Education

Haverfordwest pupils impress judges with eco-friendly cleaning business

Published

19 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ysgol Preseli also represented Pembrokeshire among five finalists at an all-Wales green skills competition

A TEAM of Haverfordwest pupils has earned national recognition after developing a range of environmentally friendly cleaning products aimed at hotels and tourism businesses.

The Sustainables, from Haverfordwest High VC School, presented their idea to business leaders, Welsh Government representatives and sustainability experts at the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon 2026.

The pupils gave a live demonstration of their product and explained how it could be priced and marketed to businesses across the hospitality sector.

Their combination of environmental thinking and commercial awareness impressed the judging panel, which awarded the team a Highly Commended prize.

Pupils from Ysgol Preseli also reached the final, meaning Pembrokeshire was represented by two of the five teams selected from across south and west Wales.

The competition, held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, challenged Year 8 pupils to find practical solutions to environmental problems affecting tourism, hospitality and the built environment.

The overall winners were the Green Guardians from Llangatwg Community School in Neath Port Talbot.

Their design for a more sustainable school included an outdoor learning centre which could also operate as a pupil-run garden café.

The hackathon marked the end of a year-long programme in which pupils worked alongside teachers, employers and community organisations to research problems, develop ideas and present their solutions.

More than 1,000 Pembrokeshire pupils have taken part in the Tomorrow’s Changemakers programme since it was introduced in the county in 2023.

The Port of Milford Haven is the programme’s main partner in Pembrokeshire.

Anna Mullarkey, the Port’s stakeholder engagement and communications manager, said: “The creativity and innovation shown by these learners is truly inspiring.

“They transformed their ideas into practical solutions that could help build a more sustainable future.

“We’re proud to support young people in reaching their full potential and delighted to see schools across Pembrokeshire creating environments where ideas and talent can flourish.”

The programme has now worked with more than 3,000 young people across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot.

It is due to expand further from September, with Ysgol Harri Tudor and Ysgol Caer Elen joining the Pembrokeshire programme alongside schools in Swansea, Powys and Bridgend.

Cymbrogi Futures founder and chief executive Liza Lort-Phillips said Pembrokeshire remained at the heart of the initiative.

She said: “The county has extraordinary young people with bold ideas about the future of their communities.

“Our job is to give them the space, the tools and the confidence to act on those ideas.”