Penygraig stabbing victim John Rees was 'definition of a good man'

A man who died after a reported stabbing in Penygraig has been named as 88-year-old John Rees.

Eyewitnesses described seeing people fleeing the store on Tylacelyn Road, in the Rhondda Valley on Tuesday, after a woman attacked people with a knife.

Following the incident, police said a 29-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Mr Rees’ family paid tribute to him saying he was the "very definition of a good man, extremely respected and liked in the community.

“He was proud of his family, proud to be a Welshman and devoted to All Saints Church. We will all miss him terribly.”

The 29-year-old woman arrested is from Porth and remains in police custody.

Mr Rees regularly attended All Saints Church in Trealaw and has been described as "one of the best loved members of the congregation" by Reverend Peter Gale.

Neighbour Tracey Goodridge said Mr Rees was a carer for his wife and that he was "a gentleman" who would "help anybody."

She said: "It's just so sad and unbelievable. [Every Thursday] he would ring the church bells at the end of the street, he'd be there doing them. And couldn't wait for the services to start back - he loved his church."

South Wales Police say another man remains in a stable condition in hospital, and two other suffered non life-threatening injuries.

The murder investigation is being led the Major Crime Investigations Team who are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Nearby local businesses were told to lock their doors yesterday as emergency services arrived.

Police described the incident at the local Co-op food store as "extremely distressing" for the local community.