Here are the evening headlines for Thursday, September 30, as the murderer of Sarah Everard was sentenced to life in jail
Former Metropolitan Police Officer Wayne Couzens will die in prison after he was jailed for life for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.
Couzens, who is the first police officer to receive this sentence, was taken out of court with his head bowed and showed no reaction as he was sentenced. You can read the full story here.
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The 48-year-old, was a serving PC with the Metropolitan Police when he snatched Ms Everard as she walked home in Clapham, south London, on the evening of March 3 - falsely arresting her for Covid breaches.
The sexual predator, who had clocked off from a 12-hour shift that morning, went on to rape and strangle the 33-year-old marketing executive. Couzens, used his handcuffs and warrant card to snatch Ms Everard as she walked home from visiting a friend in Clapham, south London, on the evening of March 3.
Lord Justice Fulford emphasised his role as a police officer was crucial to the decision, saying: "In my judgement the police are in a unique position which is essentially different from any other public service. In this country it is expected that the police act in the public interest. They are dependent on the public's consent. We trust that they will act lawfully and in the interests of society.
“The misuse of a police officer's role that has occurred in this case, is of equal seriousness as a murder carried out for the purpose equivalent for a political cause.
"It is this vital factor which in my view makes the seriousness of this case exceptionally high. It was an overwhelming case against the accused.”
Woman, 73, killed in crash with three others in hospital
A 73-year-old woman has died in a crash in Usk, with three others remaining in hospital.
Gwent Police are appealing for information following the collision on the A472, at its junction with the A449 on Wednesday, which involved two cars; a grey Seat Ibiza and a silver Suzuki Vitara.
The woman, who died at the scene, was a passenger travelling in the Seat. A 75-year-old man and a 45-year woman who were also travelling in the vehicle were taken to the University Hospital of Wales with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
A 78-year-old man driving the Vitara sustained chest injuries and was also taken to hospital for treatment. On Thursday, Gwent Police said all three remain in hospital.
The A472 and Monmouth Road, Usk, was temporarily closed while emergency services were in attendance.
You can read the full story here.
13 more people die with coronavirus in Wales
Thirteen more people have died with coronavirus in Wales according to latest figures from Public Health Wales.
The data published on Thursday, September 30 also revealed there were 2,580 new positive cases, bringing the total number since the pandemic began to 355,542.
The latest seven-day infection rate across Wales based on the cases for every 100,000 people (seven days up to September 25) has seemingly plateaued and now stands at 648.1 – almost the same as the 648 reported on Wednesday.
The local authority with the highest infection rate in Wales remains Neath Port Talbot with 935.7 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, followed by Rhondda Cynon Taf with 876.6 and Caerphilly with 848.8.
Read the full report by clicking here.
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Tributes paid to "amazing" man who died in crash
A family have paid tribute to a "loving father, son and brother" killed in a motorcycle crash.
Matthew Rouch, from Penarth, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the A48, near Cowbridge, at around 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 29.
The 41-year-old's family have now paid tribute to the "amazing man", saying in a statement: "Matthew was a loving father, son and brother. As a family we will treasure the memories of the amazing man he was, and hold him forever in our hearts. Matthew will be sorely missed.”
South Wales Police were alerted to the incident on the A48 near Cowbridge, between the A4222 and the B4268, and the road remained closed for about nine hours following the collision.
The force is now urging anybody who may have witnessed, or captured on dashcam, the incident, or who may have seen the motorcycle being ridden moments before to contact 101 and give reference *343258.
You can read the full story here.
Traders "devastated" after being given one month to leave
Independent businesses at an eclectic shopping hub say they are shocked after being told they have one month to pack their things and leave.
Traders at the Castle Emporium in Cardiff have received a letter giving notice of licence termination and premises closure of 17-21 Castle Street, after planning permission was granted by Cardiff Council in August for the building to have a change of use from shops to food and drink.
Although planning rules have been followed, and there is no suggestion the terms of the lease have been broken, shop owners say the news still came as "a massive blow".
Hannah Morgan, director and co-founder of non-profit mental health organisation Heads Above The Waves, said she was "absolutely gutted" upon hearing the news.
"We'd heard rumours that the lease was going to maybe change hands at the end of January so we've had some discussions about potentially moving," she said. "But just to have 30 days, it just really took the air out of me and I just spent most of yesterday in shock."
"It was just such an out of the blue letter to get, and the feeling amongst everyone in here about being so upset about this is really palpable. We're all in the same boat and just really shocked."
You can read the full story here.
Puppy thrown out of car window "making good recovery"
A puppy that was thrown from a car window and landed on another driver's bonnet is "making a good recovery" after being cared for at a rescue centre.
A motorist driving through Rhondda was given the fright of her life when the young dog - thought to be a Patterdale Terrier cross Spaniel and estimated to be around 12 weeks old - collided with her vehicle, wrapped inside a plastic bag.
Friends of Animals Wales’ shop in Williamstown took in the pup before it was then taken for care at their rescue centre in Ton Pentre a couple of weeks ago.
Founder and rescue co-ordinator at Friends of Animals, Eileen Jones, told TeamDogs : “He’s doing well, he’s made a good recovery.
“It’s so frustrating when people do things like that because rescues are overflowing at the moment."
You can read the full story here.
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