Trial date set for man accused of murdering Wrexham dad Craig Richardson
Mr Richardson was found at his home on the Plas Madoc estate in Acrefair
A man has appeared in court charged with murdering Wrexham dad Craig Richardson. Thomas Iveson, 30, appeared at Mold Crown Court today [Friday, February 28] charged with murdering the 37-year-old after he was found dead at his home on the Plas Madoc estate in Acrefair on Sunday, February 23.
During a brief hearing, Iveson, from the Plas Madoc area, dressed in a dark top, appeared via video link from prison and confirmed his name. Maria Masselis, defending, indicated a not guilty plea.
Iveson was remanded in custody with a provisional trial date set for Monday, October 20. A second man, a 32-year-old from Wrexham, who was arrested in connection with the incident, has been released on bail as investigations continue.
Mr Richardson’s family have released a tribute describing him as “full of fun” and saying he will be “missed forever”. “Craig was a loving son, dad, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, partner and a friend to many who we all loved with all of our hearts,” they said.
“Everybody who really knew Craig will say he had the biggest heart, would give you his last and was full of fun. Craig will be missed forever, and in our hearts forever and ever.”
A family who erected large gates obstructing a popular mountain walk near Treorchy have released a statement explaining their actions. The small village of Cwmparc in the Rhondda, South Wales, has been in turmoil since the sudden appearance of the gates and security measures nearly two weeks ago.
On Sunday, locals congregated at the Vicarage Terrace gates to protest against the new homeowners blocking access. The forest walking route is cherished by the community and is reportedly the only fully accessible path, according to walkers.
The gates were put up on private land and earlier this week NRW confirmed it holds a private right of way over the land but that does not extend to the general public. For the first time the family that erected the gates have spoken out and defended their decision, saying that they have faced numerous problems with the entrance since moving to Cwmparc a year ago, reports WalesOnline.
In a statement shared by local MS Buffy Williams the family allege the private entrance has been “abused in a way that has left us no choice but to consult with authorities and advisers over what we should do”. They say they have been subjected to everything ranging from illegal parking to people urinating and using air rifles as well as out-of-control dogs and dangerous driving – even suggesting that a child has nearly been knocked over.
They also say torches were shone through their children’s bedroom at night. The family claimed these issues led them to decide “to put security gates at our home to keep our children safe.”
