Episode 6

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0:00:04 > 0:00:05- In a murder case...

0:00:06 > 0:00:10- ..it's a race against time - to find out what happened.

0:00:11 > 0:00:14- Where, why and who's responsible?

0:00:17 > 0:00:22- Tonight, the race to find two - killers who tried to evade capture.

0:00:23 > 0:00:27- The first fled after shooting - a farmer in Llanddewi Brefi.

0:00:28 > 0:00:32- The other was a schizophrenic - who killed a mother in the capital.

0:00:35 > 0:00:39- I hear how the culprit claimed to - be a character from a horror movie.

0:00:42 > 0:00:45- I knew he was dangerous. I knew it.

0:01:06 > 0:01:08- Soar y Mynydd...

0:01:08 > 0:01:12- ..one of Wales' most famous - and remotest chapels.

0:01:12 > 0:01:14- But in January 1983...

0:01:15 > 0:01:18- ..this rural community - was in mourning...

0:01:18 > 0:01:21- ..when the chapel's treasurer - was murdered.

0:01:24 > 0:01:29- The previous night, many - of Llanddewi Brefi's residents...

0:01:29 > 0:01:32- ..were enjoying a pint - at the Foelallt Arms.

0:01:32 > 0:01:34- Among them was a bachelor...

0:01:34 > 0:01:38- ..who'd called in on his way home - from his sister's house.

0:01:38 > 0:01:41- At closing time, - John Hughes Williams...

0:01:42 > 0:01:46- ..returned to Brynambor, - his isolated sheep farm.

0:01:50 > 0:01:54- The following morning, - when a local farmer called by...

0:01:54 > 0:01:56- ..there was no sign of Williams.

0:01:56 > 0:02:00- He and another neighbour - began searching for him.

0:02:01 > 0:02:07- John was found in a bedroom - at the far end of the house.

0:02:07 > 0:02:12- It was obvious that someone - had broken into the house...

0:02:12 > 0:02:16- ..and come across John.

0:02:16 > 0:02:19- When neighbours - came to look for him...

0:02:19 > 0:02:23- ..they gained entry - and found his body in a bedroom.

0:02:25 > 0:02:28- John Williams - had been shot five times...

0:02:29 > 0:02:33- ..but no gun had been left - and no trace of the killer.

0:02:35 > 0:02:39- Everyone feels very sad about - what's happened to John Williams.

0:02:39 > 0:02:43- He was well liked. - I'm unaware of any enemies he had.

0:02:48 > 0:02:50- The story reached the village...

0:02:51 > 0:02:54- ..that he'd been shot - and it affected everyone.

0:02:54 > 0:02:56- No-one knew what to say.

0:02:57 > 0:03:00- No-one believed it could happen - to someone like John.

0:03:01 > 0:03:03- He was a decent man...

0:03:03 > 0:03:06- ..and a good friend.

0:03:08 > 0:03:11- As treasurer - of Soar y Mynydd Chapel...

0:03:12 > 0:03:14- ..he was a pillar of the community.

0:03:14 > 0:03:18- More than 1,000 mourners - paid their respects at his funeral.

0:03:20 > 0:03:22- He was a very sweet man.

0:03:23 > 0:03:26- He was one of the happiest men - in Wales, by his own admission.

0:03:27 > 0:03:30- He lived in what he called paradise.

0:03:36 > 0:03:40- Police found fingerprints - on a piece of paper at Brynambor.

0:03:40 > 0:03:44- They matched the fingerprints - of a former criminal.

0:03:44 > 0:03:46- Richard Anthony Gambrell.

0:03:46 > 0:03:49- He'd been to the farmhouse before.

0:03:49 > 0:03:53- A crime was committed here - six years previously...

0:03:53 > 0:03:56- ..in which a gun was stolen.

0:03:56 > 0:03:59- The individual under suspicion...

0:03:59 > 0:04:02- ..had a tendency to - return to places he'd been before.

0:04:03 > 0:04:07- Straightaway, - Gambrell became the prime suspect.

0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Richard Anthony Gambrell - came from Hampshire.

0:04:12 > 0:04:16- He found work in the area - as a shepherd in the late '70s.

0:04:16 > 0:04:19- He soon - came to the police's attention...

0:04:19 > 0:04:23- ..when he stole a two-barrel shotgun - from Brynambor farm...

0:04:23 > 0:04:27- ..and when he held two pensioners - hostage in Rhandirmwyn.

0:04:30 > 0:04:32- He came back time and time again.

0:04:33 > 0:04:37- I don't know why but he'd developed - a kind of obsession with the area.

0:04:42 > 0:04:46- Armed police came to Llanddewi Brefi - to hunt for Gambrell.

0:04:46 > 0:04:49- If he was the culprit...

0:04:50 > 0:04:52- ..it was feared he might kill again.

0:04:56 > 0:04:58- As an 18-year-old young man...

0:04:58 > 0:05:02- ..Emyr Lake was among those - who helped in the manhunt.

0:05:07 > 0:05:11- It was feared that Gambrell - was loose on the mountain...

0:05:11 > 0:05:13- ..in possession of a gun.

0:05:18 > 0:05:20- People were in a panic.

0:05:21 > 0:05:24- Police made regular calls - to every farm.

0:05:24 > 0:05:29- Residents had a secret code - to confirm everyone was safe.

0:05:30 > 0:05:33- Two policewomen phoned the farms...

0:05:33 > 0:05:36- ..every half an hour or hour.

0:05:37 > 0:05:40- As long as everyone gave the code, - it was fine.

0:05:40 > 0:05:45- If there was no answer, armed - police were sent to the farms...

0:05:45 > 0:05:50- ..to make sure residents were safe - and everything was OK.

0:05:51 > 0:05:55- But the fear was too much - for some families on the mountain.

0:05:58 > 0:06:02- Many families have moved out - of their mountain homes.

0:06:03 > 0:06:07- 12 farmers have left their homes - between Llanddewi and Rhandirmwyn.

0:06:13 > 0:06:17- Soon, it emerged - that Richard Anthony Gambrell...

0:06:17 > 0:06:20- ..had fled over the hills - to Llanwrtyd Wells.

0:06:21 > 0:06:25- He'd been staying in a hotel - under a false name to evade capture.

0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Police found - his fingerprints there...

0:06:31 > 0:06:33- ..and in a nearby phone kiosk.

0:06:33 > 0:06:37- These fingerprints - were key to the investigation.

0:06:44 > 0:06:49- For decades, fingerprints - have been vital in crime detection.

0:06:49 > 0:06:53- I visited the - North Wales Police's laboratory...

0:06:54 > 0:06:56- ..to discover - how they analyse fingerprints.

0:06:57 > 0:07:01- We have items - recovered from crime scenes here.

0:07:02 > 0:07:05- We're going to treat them - with a chemical called Ninhydrin.

0:07:05 > 0:07:10- It reacts with the amino acids...

0:07:10 > 0:07:12- ..from the fingerprints.

0:07:14 > 0:07:17- When we've examined - and marked up the fingerprints...

0:07:18 > 0:07:22- ..we take photographs - to be used as evidence.

0:07:22 > 0:07:28- The next step is to put these items - in the oven for six minutes...

0:07:29 > 0:07:31- ..for them to develop in the heat.

0:07:33 > 0:07:37- The police's ability to collect - fingerprints has evolved.

0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Sophisticated techniques - are now used.

0:07:41 > 0:07:45- This is a superglue cabinet, - and with non-porous items...

0:07:45 > 0:07:47- ..we put them in this cabinet...

0:07:48 > 0:07:52- ..and put superglue - in this small foil tray.

0:07:53 > 0:07:57- It heats up and the superglue - evaporates in the cabinet...

0:07:58 > 0:08:01- ..and then it reacts - with the fingerprints...

0:08:01 > 0:08:04- ..to create white fingerprints.

0:08:06 > 0:08:09- This torch - was left at the crime scene...

0:08:10 > 0:08:14- ..so we want to see - if there are fingerprints on it.

0:08:14 > 0:08:19- We're checking the batteries for - fingerprints as well as the torch.

0:08:22 > 0:08:24- MACHINE BEEPS

0:08:30 > 0:08:32- Here are the items.

0:08:35 > 0:08:41- These techniques weren't available - to Dyfed-Powys Police in the '80s.

0:08:45 > 0:08:47- But the fingerprints...

0:08:47 > 0:08:50- ..Gambrell left - at Brynambor and Llanwrtyd...

0:08:50 > 0:08:53- ..were enough - to lead detectives to the killer.

0:08:54 > 0:08:56- But they were too late.

0:08:56 > 0:09:00- Gambrell had fled by train - from Llandrindod Wells to England.

0:09:06 > 0:09:11- In Hampshire, he contacted a former - schoolteacher to arrange a meeting.

0:09:11 > 0:09:15- But he, in turn, - phoned the police...

0:09:15 > 0:09:18- ..and Richard Anthony Gambrell - was arrested...

0:09:18 > 0:09:21- ..and transported back to Wales.

0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Gambrell pleaded - not guilty to the murder.

0:09:25 > 0:09:29- He claimed he'd gone to Brynambor - to shelter, thinking it was empty...

0:09:30 > 0:09:33- ..and shot John Williams - in self-defence.

0:09:36 > 0:09:40- But the local residents - didn't believe him.

0:09:40 > 0:09:44- Outside the court in Lampeter, - a crowd of people...

0:09:44 > 0:09:48- ..wanted justice - for John Williams and his family.

0:09:48 > 0:09:50- CROWD BOOS

0:09:53 > 0:09:55- It was described as a lynch mob.

0:09:55 > 0:09:59- I don't think it was that - but it was the people's way...

0:09:59 > 0:10:04- ..of showing they were glad - that he'd been caught.

0:10:07 > 0:10:10- CROWD BOOS

0:10:10 > 0:10:13- Richard Anthony Gambrell - was found guilty...

0:10:13 > 0:10:17- ..and sentenced to - a minimum of 20 years in prison.

0:10:22 > 0:10:27- People still don't understand why - he killed John Williams that night.

0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Years later...

0:10:32 > 0:10:35- ..a curious detective visited him...

0:10:35 > 0:10:38- ..in a Durham prison.

0:10:39 > 0:10:42- What was it like, - visiting Gambrell in prison?

0:10:42 > 0:10:44- It was quite frightening.

0:10:44 > 0:10:46- When I walked in the room...

0:10:46 > 0:10:51- ..there were five wardens his side - of the table to keep him in line.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54- The first thing he said to me was, - "I know you."

0:10:55 > 0:10:58- I'd escorted him - into custody back in '77.

0:10:59 > 0:11:01- He'd promised - to tell John's sister...

0:11:02 > 0:11:04- ..the whereabouts - of the money and gun.

0:11:04 > 0:11:09- But he was completely unreasonable - and refused to co-operate.

0:11:09 > 0:11:11- According to John Lewis...

0:11:12 > 0:11:17- ..Gambrell has sent letters to - the area's residents from his cell.

0:11:18 > 0:11:22- Are you worried that Gambrell - might be released one day?

0:11:23 > 0:11:26- We've never recovered the gun, - which is a worry.

0:11:26 > 0:11:29- When he's released, - he might return to the gun.

0:11:29 > 0:11:31- Who knows if he'll come back?

0:11:33 > 0:11:39- It is a worry, but hopefully he'll - spend the rest of his life in jail.

0:11:39 > 0:11:41- If Gambrell is ever released...

0:11:42 > 0:11:45- ..it's feared he may return - to seek revenge on the community.

0:11:46 > 0:11:48- For now, he remains behind bars.

0:11:52 > 0:11:56- The residents of Llanddewi-Brefi - and the Dyfed-Powys detectives...

0:11:56 > 0:12:02- ..ensured justice for John Williams, - the amiable man from Brynambor.

0:12:10 > 0:12:13- 30 years later...

0:12:13 > 0:12:17- ..another dangerous man fled - across the hills of South Wales.

0:12:18 > 0:12:22- A schizophrenic - with blood on his hands.

0:12:25 > 0:12:25- .

0:12:27 > 0:12:27- Subtitles

0:12:27 > 0:12:29- Subtitles- - Subtitles

0:12:50 > 0:12:54- Every case poses a - different challenge for detectives.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57- When a woman was murdered in 2010...

0:12:57 > 0:12:59- ..understanding the killer...

0:12:59 > 0:13:04- ..was a huge psychological challenge - for South Wales' detectives.

0:13:16 > 0:13:18- North Cardiff.

0:13:19 > 0:13:23- It was here, in the Thornhill area, - that Karen Welsh lived.

0:13:23 > 0:13:26- At 52, this mother of two...

0:13:26 > 0:13:30- ..spent most of her career - as a healthcare worker.

0:13:31 > 0:13:35- Karen was a nurse, - she worked at the CRI...

0:13:36 > 0:13:38- ..in the haemodialysis unit.

0:13:38 > 0:13:41- She was dealing - with personal problems...

0:13:41 > 0:13:45- ..and was being treated - at Whitchurch psychiatric hospital.

0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Karen Welsh - suffered with depression.

0:13:50 > 0:13:52- One Monday morning in March...

0:13:52 > 0:13:56- ..she failed to attend - her appointment at the hospital.

0:14:01 > 0:14:04- The following morning, - police went to her house...

0:14:05 > 0:14:07- ..and found her body.

0:14:10 > 0:14:12- She was lying in a pool of blood.

0:14:12 > 0:14:18- Her wrist had been slashed but - there was no knife beside her...

0:14:18 > 0:14:23- ..or any weapon that could've - inflicted that injury upon her.

0:14:23 > 0:14:26- Looking around the room...

0:14:26 > 0:14:30- ..there were spots of blood - on the skirting board.

0:14:30 > 0:14:33- The house phone - had been pulled out of its socket.

0:14:33 > 0:14:35- There was blood on the door frame...

0:14:36 > 0:14:39- ..and on the handle - of the conservatory door...

0:14:39 > 0:14:41- ..leading out to the garden.

0:14:42 > 0:14:44- It was obvious - a crime had been committed.

0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Karen had - also sustained a head injury...

0:14:49 > 0:14:51- ..and her wrists were bleeding.

0:14:52 > 0:14:56- Whilst making enquiries, police - were given the name of a man...

0:14:56 > 0:15:00- ..she'd met at the hospital - during her treatment.

0:15:00 > 0:15:03- She'd met a man - by the name of Kevin Astley.

0:15:03 > 0:15:06- He'd changed his name - to John Constantine.

0:15:07 > 0:15:12- He'd spent a fortnight - at Whitchurch Hospital back in 2009.

0:15:14 > 0:15:18- John Michael Constantine - was 33 years old.

0:15:18 > 0:15:23- He'd spent 12 days in hospital - for a psychiatric evaluation.

0:15:23 > 0:15:27- But after being diagnosed - with a personality disorder...

0:15:27 > 0:15:29- ..he was discharged.

0:15:32 > 0:15:34- John Constantine was homeless...

0:15:34 > 0:15:37- ..after leaving Cardiff's YMCA.

0:15:37 > 0:15:41- He often slept here, - in the grounds of Castell Coch.

0:15:41 > 0:15:45- He changed his name from - Kevin Astley to John Constantine...

0:15:45 > 0:15:49- ..after Keanu Reeves' character - in the movie, Constantine.

0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Keanu Reeves' character - hears voices...

0:15:59 > 0:16:03- ..and thinks he can heal people - by touching them...

0:16:03 > 0:16:07- ..and influence people's lives.

0:16:09 > 0:16:13- A week before - her body was discovered...

0:16:13 > 0:16:15- ..Karen Welsh told her daughter...

0:16:15 > 0:16:19- ..she'd offered Constantine - a room in her house.

0:16:20 > 0:16:22- He was just a very strange man.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25- I was frightened of him. - I found him intimidating.

0:16:26 > 0:16:28- I knew something bad - was going to happen.

0:16:29 > 0:16:32- It was to the point where - I was starting to upset her.

0:16:32 > 0:16:35- I remember the conversation ending.

0:16:35 > 0:16:39- She said, "I've got to go - and have my dinner now."

0:16:39 > 0:16:43- That was the last time - I ever spoke to her.

0:16:45 > 0:16:47- During the manhunt...

0:16:47 > 0:16:51- ..police questioned the family - about the fugitive.

0:16:53 > 0:16:57- They showed me a picture of John - and asked me if I knew who he was.

0:16:57 > 0:17:00- At the time, - we thought it was suicide.

0:17:00 > 0:17:03- The police came - to my auntie's house...

0:17:03 > 0:17:07- ..and said they were - launching a murder enquiry.

0:17:09 > 0:17:12- But John Constantine - had disappeared.

0:17:13 > 0:17:17- Police were worried that there was - a very dangerous man on the run.

0:17:18 > 0:17:23- The next step was to find him - and discover his whereabouts.

0:17:24 > 0:17:29- We thought he was going - to do something to someone else.

0:17:29 > 0:17:31- It was vital that we found him.

0:17:37 > 0:17:40- He fled from Cardiff - on Karen's bike.

0:17:40 > 0:17:45- The police found the bike on the way - up to Caerphilly Mountain.

0:17:46 > 0:17:49- On the bike were a pair of gloves...

0:17:50 > 0:17:53- ..and what looked like blood - on the frame.

0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Scene-of-crime officers went there.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59- From doing an examination - of the bike...

0:17:59 > 0:18:02- ..we knew it was - Karen Welsh's blood on the bike.

0:18:06 > 0:18:08- When we checked with the bank...

0:18:08 > 0:18:11- ..he'd used the cashpoint - in Caerphilly.

0:18:12 > 0:18:14- After that, - we didn't know where he was.

0:18:18 > 0:18:22- John Constantine - was assigned a probation officer...

0:18:22 > 0:18:25- ..after attacking a farmer in Usk.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28- The police - retrieved his mobile phone number.

0:18:28 > 0:18:31- At first he didn't answer the calls.

0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Later, he replied via text message.

0:18:39 > 0:18:42- He was asking questions.

0:18:42 > 0:18:45- He asked us - why we needed a statement.

0:18:45 > 0:18:48- In his eyes, murder was murder.

0:18:48 > 0:18:52- He'd murdered her and he - explained how he'd killed her.

0:18:52 > 0:18:56- As the text messaging went on - for more than an hour...

0:18:56 > 0:18:59- ..he handed himself in - at Newtown police station.

0:19:08 > 0:19:11- It wasn't suicide at all. - He'd killed her.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13- I broke down and I said, "It's him.

0:19:14 > 0:19:16- "I knew he was dangerous. - I knew it."

0:19:16 > 0:19:18- And I was right.

0:19:18 > 0:19:21- At Cardiff Crown Court...

0:19:21 > 0:19:25- ..Constantine - denied murdering Karen Welsh...

0:19:25 > 0:19:28- ..but pleaded guilty - to manslaughter...

0:19:29 > 0:19:31- ..by diminished responsibility.

0:19:31 > 0:19:35- Concerns were raised - about his original diagnosis...

0:19:35 > 0:19:38- ..at Whitchurch Hospital.

0:19:38 > 0:19:42- In court, the judge said that the - hospital's diagnosis was wrong...

0:19:43 > 0:19:48- ..and that the killing was linked - to an abnormality of mind.

0:19:55 > 0:19:59- The court accepted that he suffered - from paranoid schizophrenia.

0:19:59 > 0:20:03- He was sent to a maximum-security - hospital indefinitely.

0:20:05 > 0:20:08- At first, - I wanted it to be murder.

0:20:08 > 0:20:11- He'd be locked away - for a life sentence...

0:20:11 > 0:20:14- ..but I met him - and I knew he wasn't right.

0:20:14 > 0:20:18- If I could tell it, surely - medical professionals could tell it.

0:20:18 > 0:20:22- This way, at least he's - not just going to go to prison...

0:20:22 > 0:20:26- ..and come out and still be unwell - and potentially hurt someone else.

0:20:26 > 0:20:28- He's going to get treatment.

0:20:30 > 0:20:34- A report into the case - confirmed that John Constantine...

0:20:35 > 0:20:38- ..was released - from Whitchurch Hospital...

0:20:38 > 0:20:42- ..with no future plans to - evaluate him again or treat him.

0:20:44 > 0:20:47- There were calls - for better communication...

0:20:47 > 0:20:51- ..between the probation service, - police and hospitals...

0:20:51 > 0:20:55- ..and better care for people - with personality disorders.

0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Mistakes happen, - I understand that...

0:20:59 > 0:21:02- ..but it's important - they learn from them.

0:21:02 > 0:21:05- They need to - look at the recommendations...

0:21:06 > 0:21:07- ..act on them...

0:21:08 > 0:21:10- ..and make sure - this doesn't happen again.

0:21:16 > 0:21:18- It was a very sad investigation.

0:21:18 > 0:21:23- Karen Welsh was a professional - and people thought a lot of her.

0:21:23 > 0:21:28- It's sad that she met someone - like John Constantine...

0:21:28 > 0:21:31- ..who manipulated her.

0:21:37 > 0:21:39- This was a sad case for everyone.

0:21:39 > 0:21:43- For the detectives - and for the psychological experts...

0:21:43 > 0:21:46- ..who came into contact - with Constantine.

0:21:46 > 0:21:51- More than that, it was a devastating - loss for Karen Welsh's family.

0:21:58 > 0:22:02- It's horrendous. My mum did have - some problems, she wasn't well.

0:22:03 > 0:22:06- But she was - still the person I went to...

0:22:06 > 0:22:10- ..when something good or bad - happened, and now she's not there.

0:22:12 > 0:22:15- There are times - when it just hits you like a train.

0:22:15 > 0:22:20- We're going to remain scarred as - a family for the rest of our lives.

0:23:04 > 0:23:06- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

0:23:06 > 0:23:06- .