Pembrokeshire man who murdered mother with hammer given life sentence

Published

7 months ago

4th October 2021

Editor

A MAN who murdered his mother with a hammer and continued to live in her home with her body for two months has been sentenced to life in prison.

Dale Morgan, aged 43, of Honeyborough Green, Neyland, will serve a minimum of 21 years and six months after being sentenced at Swansea Crown Court for murdering Judith Rhead.

Her body was found in her home in Market Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday, 20 February 2021, with a plastic bag over her head.

She had been struck to the head 14 times with the hammer officers from Dyfed-Powys Police found on the floor near her body.

Morgan was arrested later that day and has been in custody since, pleading guilty to murder at a hearing on 31 August.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Jayne Butler, said the investigation had seen departments across the force pull together to get justice for Judith and her grieving family.

“Judith Rhead was the victim of an horrific attack,” she said.

“The fact that it was at the hands of her own son and in her own home only adds to the cruelty and horror of what she went through.

“Our officers worked hard to apprehend her killer and bring him to justice, which was achieved promptly and professionally.

“This investigation was a major undertaking and I would like to thank everyone involved in reaching this conclusion today.

“From the officers who guarded the scene and carried out the house-to-house enquiries to the investigators, they should all be proud to have helped secure justice for Judith.”

Judith was last seen alive on 11 December and it is believed she was murdered before Christmas, with unopened gifts still in her home.

Morgan continued to live in his mother’s flat as he tried to conceal what he had done, walking her dog and lying to her concerned friends when they asked where she was.

Following his arrest, Morgan answered no comment at interview, and has still said very little to give any sort of an account of what happened or why.

However, on 23 February 2021, whilst awaiting a video link to court, the defendant commented “to be honest, it’s a relief that things are kind of out of my hands now” to an officer.

Although unable to find a definitive motive, investigators have been able to prove Morgan was using Judith’s bank account and that she believed he was taking her prescription drugs.

DS Butler added: “I would like to thank Judith’s family and friends for the honesty, patience and dignity they have shown throughout the enquiry.

“Our thoughts are with them and we hope this sentence will provide an element of closure and allow them to grieve her loss.”

(Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police)

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Man who filmed rape on Ammanford victim’s phone changes plea mid trial

Published

6 days ago

11th May 2022

Editor

A man who filmed himself raping an Ammanford woman on his victim’s phone has changed his plea to guilty midway through his trial.

Cameron Hassan, aged 31, of no fixed abode, attacked the woman, raping her as she slept on 21 August 2021.

Hassan had been on trial at Swansea Crown Court after denying any wrongdoing. However, after the jury was shown the video of the attack and hearing the victim was going to give evidence yesterday (Tuesday, 10 May), Hassan changed his plea to guilty.

Investigating Officer DC Sophie Lambert from Dyfed Powys Police said the victim had shown great strength and determination throughout the investigation.

“I must commend her tremendous courage in coming forward and the tenacity shown throughout the investigation,” she said.

“We hope this case demonstrates that Dyfed-Powys Police acts on serious allegations such as rape and sexual assault with officers working tirelessly to secure justice for victims.

“If you are suffering because of similar abuse, please contact the police, or if you would rather speak to someone in confidence, New Pathways are an independent charity that will support you through every step of the investigation.”

New Pathways can be contacted at 01685 379 310 or email enquiries@newpathways.org.uk

(Lead image: Google Maps)

Dyfed Powys Police

Man banned from driving for 12 months for fishing offence

Published

1 week ago

9th May 2022

Editor

A man from Merthyr Tydfil who travelled to the River Loughor, near Llanelli to fish using a barbaric and illegal method, has been banned from driving for 12 months as part of his sentence.

Vu Quang Tien pleaded guilty to an illegal fishing charge and also to a charge of obstruction of a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Fisheries Enforcement Officer on 26 April at Swansea Magistrates Court.

Mr Tien and two other anglers were witnessed by NRW Fisheries Enforcement Officers deliberately using the illegal foul hooking method of fishing – also known as snatching – at the river Loughor on 15 August 2021. NRW officers attended the site after several reports of illegal fishing were made to NRW’s 24/7 incident call centre by concerned members of the community.

When approached and questioned by NRW officers, Mr Tien and his accomplices showed significant hostility and reluctance to share identification documents which eventually had to be extracted by use of reasonable force.

All of Mr Tien’s fishing tackle and fish, along with his associates’ fishing tackle was seized by NRW Officers at the time of the incident. The district judge on the day at Swansea Magistrates Court gave permission to NRW to confiscate these items permanently from each of them.

The District Judge disqualified Mr Tien from driving for 12 months due to seriousness of the incident, and the premeditated and deliberate action of travelling such a distance to commit the offence.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £2,334 in fines, NRW costs and a victim surcharge.

Mark Thomas, Fisheries Enforcement Officer for NRW, said: “We would like to again thank Dyfed Powys Police, the local communities and also the law-abiding anglers in the area for their continued support in reporting these illegal fishing activities.

“Foul hooking is a truly barbaric form of fishing carried out by a small minority of anglers in Wales, who have no regard for fish welfare.

“NRW and the Police take these incidents seriously as do the courts.

“Hopefully, the small minority of anglers who may in future, think of using any illegal fishing methods will take heed of the heavy fines and driving ban in this case issued by the courts.”

(Lead image: Natural Resources Wales)

Ammanford

Police appeal after cyclist dies in Garnant accident

Published

1 week ago

9th May 2022

Editor

Dyfed Powys Police have issued an appeal after a cyclist died in a single vehicle road traffic collision on Friday (6 May).

The accident took place around 8.45pm outside the Discovery Book Shop on Cwmamman Road in Garnant, Ammanford.

A spokesperson for Dyfed Powys Police said: “Sadly the 58 year-old male rider of the pedal cycle sustained serious injuries and passed away in hospital.

“We are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the pedal cycle at the relevant time, or who may have dashcam footage if they travelled along this stretch of road at the time, to get in touch.

“Also local residents and business owners are asked to contact Police if they have any CCTV footage covering the location.”

(Lead image: Google Maps)