Tributes paid to stab victim (From Campaign Series)

Tributes paid to stab victim

1:19pm Wednesday 1st April 2009 in News

THE COMMUNITY of Llanbradach has paid tribute to a 66-year-old woman who died last week.

Gwen Poole, of Horace Terrace, died on the evening of Tuesday March 24 after an incident in the village of Llanbradach.

Mrs Poole was a member of the Llanbradach Workmen's Club skittles team and on the night was on her way to the Greenfly, Bedwas to play a weekly league match, when the incident happened.

The mother-of-two who had lived in the village all her life was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, but later died. Both ends of the village were shut off for a couple days in connection with the incident.

Phyllis Sweet, 69, the only sister of Mrs Poole, also from Llanbradach, said she was due to play skittles and was waiting for a lift from team mates when the incident happened..

She said her sister was due to celebrate her 67th birthday this week.

"She was enjoying her retirement,'' said Mrs Sweet.

She added: "They (Mrs Pole's sons Ian and Keith) are not coping. You just get numb and it hits you for six.''

Fellow skittler Janet Bradshaw said everyone in the close-knit community had been stunned by the tragedy.

"Gwen was a kind, generous woman. She was a friend for life,'' said 63-year-old Mrs Bradshaw.

"She was kind, loving and considerate. She wouldn't do anybody a bad turn. "I have lived here all my life and I have never been worried about walking out but now I'm really frightened.''

Mrs Bradshaw said she would often accompany Mrs Poole on weekends away with the skittle team and worked with her in some local factories before their retirement.

"We are all devastated,'' added Mrs Bradshaw.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man from New Tredegar has been remanded in custody charged with murdering a pensioner who was stabbed as she waited in the street for a lift to play skittles.

Martin Phillip Davies, at Caerphilly Magistrates Court on Monday.

He is accused of stabbing 66-year-old Gwen Poole in Llanbradach, Caerphilly on Tuesday evening. A Post-mortem examination showed she died of chest wounds.

The case was adjourned to Newport Crown Court until April 8.