RESIDENTS of a Valleys community have talked about the shock and vulnerability still being felt a week on from a double death which caused the eyes of the world to turn on the village.

One said his son had struggled to sleep in the aftermath of the murder of young Cerys Yemm at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel last Thursday.

Others said they were still struggling to comprehend what had happened after Matthew Williams, 34, was found over the body of the 22-year-old shop worker inside the Sirhowy Arms Hotel, a B&B, early last Thursday.

Haydn Thomas, who lives in the village, said his 11-year-old son struggles to sleep in the aftermath of the incident and elderly residents are also feeling “vulnerable”, adding that people have fears over the future of the Sirhowy Arms.

Locals have been expressing their shock, while flowers have been laid by the entrance of the three-storey building in High Street.

Tributes were also paid at the Argoed Baptist Chapel’s Remembrance Sunday service led by the Rev Charlotte Moss. She told the Argus yesterday: “People are still in shock. Like every tragedy, it’s going to take time for this community to heal.”

It is alleged Williams was committing an act of cannibalism, but Gwent Police have refused to confirm or deny the allegation.

He was eventually Tasered and arrested while attacking the Next shop assistant, and later died in police custody. The Independent Police and Crime Commission is looking into Gwent Police’s involvement, but insists investigations are at an “early stage”.

Mr Thomas, a chartered surveyor in Newport, lives with his wife and two sons less than a quarter of a mile from where the incident took place.

The 45-year-old said: “It’s a bit shocking that it’s happened on your doorstep. My son was slightly disturbed by it. He’s 11, but he reads a lot and watches the news. For the first couple of nights he wasn’t sleeping.

“It’s also affected elderly people in the village who feel quite vulnerable. We told him it was an isolated incident and will probably never happen again and tried to comfort him.”

South Wales East AM William Graham has called for an investigation into the way the hostel was run – while a Ministry of Justice serious case review will be held into the tragedy.

Williams was released from prison last month and had been staying at the 15-room hotel.

“I was aware of it being a B&B for the homeless, but didn’t realise the characters that were there,” Mr Thomas added.

“We had our neighbours round on Sunday and they were really shocked. The elderly people they had spoken to in the community were also disturbed.

“I think there’s still an apprehension about people staying there still, but we are not letting it affect our lives.”

Islwyn MP Chris Evans said: “This was a horrific, violent crime.

“I spoke to Chris Burns, chief executive of Caerphilly council, this weekend and he reassured me that all homeless facilities of this nature, including the Sirhowy Arms, are supported and monitored closely by the council and other appropriate agencies.”

Islwyn AM Gwyn Price said: “These valleys comprise of close-knit communities. When tragedy strikes, it strikes us all.

“I, like many local residents, am struggling to comprehend this senseless act of violence. Such violence is extremely rare and has shaken our community to the core.”

Argoed councillor Leon Gardiner, who has represented the ward for more than 30 years, said people were still affected by what had happened, adding it had also personally affected him.

Initial results from a post-mortem examination on Miss Yemm, from Oakdale, was carried out on Friday, November 7, which showed she died from head injuries.

A Gwent Police spokesman added it may take a number of weeks before the post-mortem examination is completed.