Latest news with #Machynlleth
Powys County Times
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Powys train driver says Tornado test was 'career highlight'
The driver who helmed an iconic steam train as it was tested on his home railway in Powys has called it the highlight of his career. When the LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado steam locomotive was taken along the Cambrian Line earlier this year, it was helmed by Machynlleth train driver John Rogers. He was behind the controls of the record-breaking train while it did overnight runs between Newtown and Shrewsbury as the world's first operational steam locomotive to be fitted with digital signalling technology European Train Control System (ETCS). John said: 'I worked for Network Rail when they were converting to a new signalling system as part of the operations team. I then left to go driving classic steam trains, including the Tornado. 'Having some experience both driving that locomotive and operating new signalling systems, I guess that made me a good choice to helm it during the testing along the Cambrian Line, which happened to be my home railway. "It also meant I had experience driving steam and was familiar with the route we'd be taking.' The Tornado was built in 2008 and based on an original design by Arthur Peppercorn. The Cambrian line was chosen as a railway to test the new digital signalling system, completing overnight runs in April 2025 when the line was quieter. 'It was an absolutely phenomenal experience," John added. "Doing it on my home railway made it extra special, especially after a 15-year gap of steam locomotives on that railway. I was very proud to be the driver of the first one on that line for more then a decade. 'I think the Cambrian line is the jewel in the crown of Welsh railways. Hopefully one day we'll see more steam on that railway. 'Driving the train with the new system came naturally, as it's been integrated so well. The team did such a good job on designing it that the system fit in really well. It's a massive leap in technology and an incredible achievement to get as far as it has. 'It's been the highlight of my career to take that train on that line. The only way it could have been better would be to pull into my hometown of Machynlleth, but the train was so large that the station would not be able to accommodate it. 'I believe it's the biggest engine ever to pull into Newtown Station. A lot of the stations in Mid Wales were built for small engines so Newtown was as far as we could take the Tornado, but also as far as we needed to for testing.'
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
My daughter April Jones was killed by paedophile – forget chemical castration, predators like him should have it cut off
The mum of murdered schoolgirl April Jones has backed the government's bid to chemically castrate paedophiles and rapists. Coral Jones, whose five-year-old daughter was kidnapped and murdered by sick paedophile Mark Bridger, said he and all other sex offenders should lose their right to a sexual urge. 5 5 5 Bridger was given a whole-life term for abducting and murdering April on October 1, 2012, in Machynlleth, mid Wales. The Judge said he sexually abused the schoolgirl before disposing of her body. But the paedophile has never confessed to his crime and the location of April's remains is still unknown. Here mum Coral gives her view on the government's latest proposals. By Coral Jones When April vanished almost 13 years ago my whole world was thrown upside down. I will never get over the heartache of losing my beautiful girl that day and when I later learned that sick paedophile Mark Bridger had kidnapped and murdered her, I was sick to my stomach. I cannot begin to describe the hatred I still have for him to this day. During sentencing trial judge Mr Justice Griffith-Williams told Bridger that there was no doubt in his mind that he was 'a paedophile, who has, for some time harboured sexual and morbid fantasies about young girls'. Police also found Bridger's laptop containing a library of vile sexual images of children. Chilling moment April Jones' 'fantasist' killer Mark Bridger lied to police during interrogation And for me vile paedophiles like him will never change. They will always fantasise about young children and harbour sickening sexual thoughts. The government's proposal to chemically castrate paedophiles and rapists like him, is something that has been on my mind for over a decade. I've said from word go that this should happen and I'm surprised it has taken so long. I would welcome any steps to chemically castrate offenders like Mark Bridger. To be honest, if I had it my way he should have it chopped off completely, but I can't see the justice secretary agreeing to that. Putting a paedophile or rapist's name on the sex offenders register is no longer enough of a deterrent - for too long we've turned a blind eye to it. Many sex offenders continue to reoffend, sometimes over and over again. Bridger won't ever see the light of day for what he did, but it keeps me awake at night that he still has sexual fantasties about my daughter and other children. It makes my body shiver, it makes me feel sick. All prisoners who have sexually abused children should have this sexual urge removed - that goes for men and women. If they've done the deed they should pay the price. They don't deserve to enjoy the same sexual urges as everyone else. The only question is how long does the procedure last? Is it permanent? Can its be reversed. All these things need to be addressed. In my book sex offenders should also be sterilised so they can't have their own children and continue the cycle of abuse. There will always be people who are against strong measures like this. They will cite human rights as the reason not to act - but until they have lost a child or seen a family member sexually abused, they will never truly understand why this is so important. Ever since April was taken from us I have campaigned for changes in the law. I have fought to introduce April's Law which would rid the internet of child abuse images. Easily accessibly vile online pictures are fuelling paedophiles' evil crimes and myself and others have demanded search engine firms should do much more to prevent people posting and accessing the shocking content. I'll never stop pushing for change and I welcome the latest proposals by the government. It's time we all took a stand. 5
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
April Jones' dad to be buried alongside remains of his daughter after he died without knowing what happened to her body
THE TRAGIC father of murdered schoolgirl April Jones will be buried in the same grave as his five-year-old daughter, a relative has revealed. Paul Jones, 56, died suddenly after contracting a virus eight years after being diagnosed with the brain condition encephalitis. 10 10 The former pub doorman died without ever discovering what April's killer Mark Bridger did with her body after kidnapping her from a street where she was playing in 2012. But some of April's remains were found in Bridger's cottage and they were buried in a grave in the little girl's hometown of Machynlleth, North Wales. Paul's stepfather Dai Smith, 72, said: 'The funeral arrangements are still being made but they'll put him in April's grave. That would be the fitting thing to do'. Paul and April's mum Coral Jones split up after the horrific murder and he was later diagnosed with encephalitis. He went into a care home in Swansea because he could not look after himself. 'Paul was devastated by what happened to April and it's fair to say he never got over it. 'People have said that he became ill because of the tragedy of losing his little girl but that's not the case. 'It was more or less dementia; he had been in hospital for eight years and couldn't remember anything about April. 'But he had long term memory - he could remember things from 30 years ago. Family's heartbreaking final words to murdered April Jones are revealed 10 years after five-year-old was abducted ''He was a fantastic man, very strong, he'd walk 15 miles with the dogs and think nothing of it. He was fit and loved the outdoors. "He went down from 13st to 8st and when he was first in hospital he would wander around the wards but didn't know where he was.' Mr Smith said the family believe his stepson contracted encephalitis from visiting a local swimming pool. Paul's mother Linda died of cancer in July last year and was bitter over the way Coral had treated her eldest son. Linda and her husband, who live in New Quay, Cardiganshire, felt Coral abandoned their son when he became ill. 10 10 10 Before she died Linda said: 'In my book, if you marry someone it's in sickness and in health. I know Paul would have been there for Coral if it had been the other way around.' The couple had a huge bust up with Coral over the way she treated Paul, and they never spoke to her again. Mr Smith, who is still grieving for his wife, said: 'She used to say it was a blessing that he couldn't remember anything and I think she was right.' Paul's daughter, Jazz Jones, announced his tragic passing on Tuesday. She said: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) passed away early hours this morning. It was very unexpected and we are all in shock. "Harley and myself will update people with further information as we know more but please give us our privacy to mourn our loss." The 29-year-old told The Sun she is 'heartbroken' over his death and the family still processing his loss. 'It was very unexpected and we are all in shock,' she said. 'It's only been 24 hours, it's a lot to get our head around. 'As a family we're heartbroken, but we're still trying to process the fact that dad has passed away, so we're not sharing any information on his death out of respect for him. 'Dad didn't want any media attention towards the end, he wanted his privacy, and as a family we need time to grieve.' Who is Mark Bridger? Mark Bridger abducted and murdered five-year-old April Jones in 2012. The former abattoir worker went to prison for his horrific crimes and is serving a life sentence. He was born in Carshalton, Surrey on November 6, 1965 and was just 19 when he had his first run-in with the law. He pleaded guilty to firearms offences, theft, attempted theft, and deception. That was to be the first of many convictions throughout his life. He was convicted of driving offences and assaults before he moved from England to Wales. He fathered six children by four different women. One woman he dated was Elaine Griffiths and they had two children together. Elaine's sister Karen dated Paul Jones and they had two children before Paul met Coral and had April. April's disappearance and murder April disappeared near her home in Machynlleth on October 1, 2012. She was seen getting into a vehicle in the area on the day of her disappearance. Eyewitnesses saw April talking with a man before climbing into a Land Rover Discovery with him and driving off. After fitting the description of the man seen talking with April, Mark Bridger was arrested for her abduction. After his initial arrest, the police found a large collection of child abuse images on Bridger's personal computer. A large search operation was then conducted by the police and search teams in the hope of finding April. After an extensive search for April provided no insight into her whereabouts, police officially turned the case into a murder inquiry on October 5, 2012. Just a day later, on October 6, Bridger was charged with child abduction, murder, and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was additionally charged with the unlawful concealment and disposal of a body on October 8. On January 14, 2013, at Mold Crown Court, Bridger pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering April Jones but accepted that he was "probably responsible" for her death. Mold Crown Court heard from a forensic expert that human bones and blood matching April's DNA were found in areas of Bridger's home. He claimed that he had accidentally run April over with his car and could not remember disposing of her body due to heavy drinking and panicking about what he had done. His trial began on April 29, 2013, and on 30 May 2013, Bridger was found guilty of abduction, murder, and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to life in prison with a recommendation that he should never be released by the Judge. Despite his conviction, the whereabouts of April's body remain unknown. Bridger was last reported to have been moved to HMP Wakefield in Yorkshire, where he is defined as a Category A prisoner - the most dangerous in the country. 10 10 10
Sky News
14-05-2025
- Sky News
April Jones: Tributes paid to murdered schoolgirl's father after 'unexpected' death
Tributes have been paid to the father of murdered schoolgirl April Jones who has died suddenly aged 55. April, who was five years old at the time of her death, was taken from outside her home in Machynlleth, mid Wales, in October 2012. She was murdered by paedophile Mark Bridger, who was sentenced to a whole life tariff. April's father Paul Jones contracted a brain disease in 2018, six years after the death of his daughter. Announcing his death on Tuesday, Mr Jones's stepdaughter Jazz Jones said: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) passed away early hours this morning." Miss Jones said his death was "very unexpected" and the family were "all in shock". She asked for privacy as the family mourned the loss of Mr Jones. In a social media post, family friend Allan Hughes described Mr Jones as "a truly amazing friend". "A lot of you knew him as the father of poor April Jones who was taken from us in 2012," he said. "But myself and many more know him from being a great dad, son, brother and friend, also as part of the family." He said Mr Jones would now be "reunited with April and [his] mam" and added that his "thoughts and prayers" were with his family. After Mr Jones contracted the brain condition encephalitis in 2018, he suffered memory loss. He had to learn of his daughter's death for a second time after he was diagnosed with the condition.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Father of murdered April Jones dies suddenly of brain disease
The father of a five-year-old girl who was murdered in 2012 has died suddenly at the age of 55, his family has Jones was diagnosed with a brain disease in 2018, six years after the death of his daughter April was abducted from near her home in Machynlleth, Powys, and murdered by paedophile Mark Jones' stepdaughter, Jazz Jones, said on Tuesday: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) passed away early hours this morning." "It was very unexpected and we are all in shock."Harley and myself will update people with further information as we know more but please give us our privacy to mourn our loss."April went missing on 1 October 2012 but despite the biggest police search in British history, her body has never been Jones campaigned for tougher rules around the use of children's images online as well as supporting other families of missing people and urging potential abusers to seek friend Allan Hughes described Mr Jones as "amazing"."A lot of you knew him as the father of poor April Jones who was taken from us in 2012," he said in a post on social media."But myself and many more know him from being a great dad, son, brother and friend, also as part of the family."We grew up together in Penparcau and had many adventures."Now you will be reunited with April and your mam. Rest now peacefully Paul Jones. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family." Mr Jones suffered memory loss after contracting the brain condition encephalitis in 2018 and had to learn for a second time of his daughter's mother, Coral Jones, told a Sunday newspaper how her husband had recognised the youngster in family photos used to jog his memory."He asked, 'what happened to April?' I had to tell him she was no longer with us and that she'd been killed."He broke down. It was an awful conversation because he was so emotional and it was so hard for me to speak about it."Bridger, who was convicted of April's murder, child abduction and perverting the course of justice, refused to tell police what he had done with the youngster's body - although officers did recover fragments of her skull from his former lifeguard was sentenced to a whole life tariff, meaning he will die behind bars.
