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com/WalesOnline THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020  south wales echo  13

News

Tributes paid
to man killed in
shop stabbing
Rod Minchin, Marcus
Hughes & Lydia Stephens Tributes left at All
echo.newsdesk@walesonline.co.uk Saints Church,
Trealaw, Rhondda,
for John Rees
A CHURCHGOING pensioner who
died after he was stabbed in a village
Co-op has been remembered as “the
very definition of a good man” by his
grieving family.
“Proud Welshman” John Rees, 88,
died during the incident at the con-
venience store in Penygraig,
Rhondda, at Tuesday lunchtime. Police at the Co-op in Penygraig yesterday
Mr Rees, who lived in the nearby Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency
village of Trealaw with his wife
Eunice, was a regular worshipper at
All Saints Church.
In a statement released by South



















Wales Police yesterday, Mr Rees’
family said: “John was the very defi-
nition of a good man, extremely





 
respected and liked in the commu-
nity.
“He was proud of his family, proud
to be a Welshman and devoted to All
Saints Church. We will all miss him
terribly.”
A 29-year-old woman from Porth
“It’s just so sad and unbelievable.
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,” she told
ITV Wales.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark 
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O’Shea, who is leading the investiga-
tion, said: “This is a very tragic inci- 

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tigate circumstances surrounding
the matter.
had been arrested on suspicion of Eyewitnesses described seeing “Our sympathies are with Mr 

murder. She yesterday remained in people fleeing the store after reports Rees’ family at this very distressing FREE
custody at Merthyr Tydfil police sta- of a woman in the store with a knife. time for them and they are being COMPETITIVE
tion. One man remained in a stable supported by specially trained offic-
Heartfelt tributes have been paid condition in hospital yesterday. Two 
ers. This incident has understanda-
to Mr Rees from across the commu- other people suffered non-life- bly caused a lot of shock in the local 

nity.
George Price, 69, lives in Trealaw
and sells fruit from a stall at the bot-
tom of Birthweunydd Road.
He said Mr Rees would visit his
stall regularly on his walk to All
Saints.
“You wouldn’t wish for a nicer
man,” he said. “He would go to the
chapel every day.
“I met him when I was 12. I have
lived in Trealaw all my life. He was a
lovely man. It’s a sin that this has
happened to him. He would pass
this stall and he would go to the shop
for his newspaper. Everybody knew
him. I have never known a nicer
chap.”
threatening injuries.
One of those injured was 53-year-
old nurse Lisa Way.
Grandmother Lisa works at the
Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llant-
risant. She was treated at the hospi-
tal where she works for non life-
threatening injuries.
Her husband Carl, 53, said he was
too upset to talk about what hap-
pened, other than to say: “It is bad
but we’ll just leave it there.”
A neighbour said: “Lisa just
popped down the Co-op and this
happens.
“It is just terrible especially when
you think what the NHS is going
through at the moment. Its devastat-
community and I want to reassure 
residents that a full investigation is
under way.”
Uniformed officers will continue
to maintain a visible presence in the
area.
Divisional commander Chief
Superintendent Dorian Lloyd
added: “Tuesday’s horrific incident
in Penygraig was extremely distress-
ing and shocking for the local com-
munity.
“I would like to pay tribute to the
members of the public and police
officers for their efforts at the scene,  
rendering first aid to those involved 

in this incident. GLAZING
“Penygraig is a small close-knit


Local Plaid Cymru councillor


Joshua Davies tweeted: “My
thoughts and prayers are with the
family and friends of John Rees from
Trealaw. Rest in Peace John.”
Floral tributes have been left out-
side the convenience store at
Penygraig, near Tonypandy, and
also 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
ing.
“Thank God that we’ve been told
she will pull through. But it is going
to have a terrible effect on her.”
As the local community comes to
terms with what happened, Leanne
Wood, Plaid Cymru Member of the
Senedd for Rhondda, has written to
the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University
Health Board asking that specialist
support services are made available
for those who witnessed the inci-
dent.
South Wales Police has referred
itself to the Independent Office for
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community which has been put into
the national spotlight in such tragic
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terms with what has happened.
“My thoughts and condolences
remain with the victim’s family and
all those affected by this incident at a



who has rang our church bells every Police Conduct, but did not say why. very sad time.”
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Thursday night for the NHS. You will Officers from South Wales Police South Wales Police is urging any .;
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be very sadly missed by everyone.” returned to Tylacelyn Road yester- witnesses who have not yet come (.
 




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A neighbour of Mr Rees, Tracey day to continue with their investiga- forward to contact them and is also 99957%74%$09,0'195&17-
Goodridge, said he was a carer for tion. The police cordon in the street appealing for anyone with mobile
his wife and that he was “a gentle- has been removed but the Co-op phone footage of the incident to get #





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man” who would “help anybody”. store remains closed. in touch.  !
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