Woman charged with murder of eighty-eight year old John Rees in Penygraig

A 29 year old woman has been charged with the murder of John Rees who lost his life in a reported stabbing incident in Penygraig on Tuesday afternoon.

Zara Anne Radcliffe from Porth has been charged with his murder and will appear in Cardiff Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

88-year-old Mr Rees from Trealaw died during an incident at the Co-op on Tylacelyn Road.

Three other people were injured, with one man in a stable condition in hospital on Wednesday and another two obtaining non life-threatening injuries. Ms Radcliffe has also been charged with three counts of attempted murder.

Police described the incident as "extremely distressing" for the local community.

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.”

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."

Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Rhondda, has written to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board asking that specialist support services are made available for those who witnessed the incident.

Police are continuing to appeal for information from witnesses who have not yet come forward.