Wales stabbing: Woman charged with murdering church warden, 88, in village shop

Zara Anne Radcliffe, 29, also faces three counts of attempted murder relating to other people hurt in incident

A 29-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of an elderly church warden and the attempted murder of three other people.

Zara Anne Radcliffe will appear before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Thursday accused of stabbing to death 88-year-old John Rees at a Co-op store in Pen Y Graig, Rhondda Valley.

South Wales Police said Ms Radcliffe, from Porth, is also accused of three counts of attempted murder relating to other people who were also hurt in the incident on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Rees, who lived in the nearby village of Trealaw with his wife Eunice, was a church warden at All Saints Church.

In a statement his family said: “John 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.”

Flowers have been left outside the convenience store and at All Saints Church.

One said: “Our hearts go out for John and his beloved wife Eunice and family. We are all heartbroken. Such a lovely, lovely gentleman, kind and caring, so so sad. God bless.

“Thanks for being the lovely man who has rang our church bells every Thursday night for the NHS. You will be very sadly missed by everyone.”

Another read: “Heartbreaking losing your life in such a horrific way. Can’t stop thinking of your poor wife x Thoughts are with you and your family.”

The incident on Tuesday afternoon left one man in a stable condition in hospital, while two other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. One of those injured was believed to be an NHS nurse.

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

South Wales Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, but did not say why.

Additional reporting by Press Association