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Woman 'murdered waiting for lift' OAP 'murdered waiting for lift'
(about 3 hours later)
A woman has died after being stabbed as she waited in a village street for a lift to go and play skittles. Police investigating the murder of a pensioner are searching for a knife or screwdriver used to stab her in the street as she waited for a lift.
Gwen Poole, 66, was in Llanbradach, Caerphilly, when she was attacked at 2005 GMT on Tuesday. Grandmother Gwen Poole, 66, from Llanbradach, Caerphilly was attacked at 2005 GMT on Tuesday as she made her way to a skittles match in another village.
Her sister Phyllis Sweet said the family had been left "numb", adding: "Why? That is all I can ask."Her sister Phyllis Sweet said the family had been left "numb", adding: "Why? That is all I can ask."
Mrs Poole was taken to hospital in Cardiff with wounds to her upper body but died later. A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Following the stabbing in De Winton Terrace, Mrs Poole made it to her son Ian's house close by before an ambulance was called, it is understood. Gwent Police investigating said they are now looking for a "narrow bladed weapon, possibly a screwdriver or a knife".
Mrs Sweet said she had been waiting for a lift from one of her team mates at the Llanbradach social club's women's skittle team when she was attacked. Supt Jon Burley said: "We obviously cordoned off the scene and conducted a search in the darkness (last night) and we will be repeating that today.
Gwen Poole was described as kind, loving and considerate "The arrest was made by uniformed officers about 30 minutes after the incident was reported.
She was kind, loving and considerate. She wouldn't do anybody a bad turn Janet Bradshaw, friend on Gwen Poole
"The officers saw him near a bus stop and, as officers went to stop him, he made off."
He said that the suspect did not struggle on arrest.
There are currently 70 officers working on the case.
"We are following lines of inquiry which may lead to the weapon," added the officer.
Mrs Poole was in De Winton Terrace waiting for a lift to take her to a skittles match in Bedwas near Caerphilly.
Police have cordoned off the road for investigations
Following the attack, it was reported that she managed to get to her son's house before the ambulance was called.
She was taken to hospital in Cardiff with wounds to her upper body but died later.
Mrs Sweet said Mrs Poole had been waiting for a lift from one of her team mates at the Llanbradach social club's women's skittle team when she was attacked.
She said her sister was due to celebrate her 67th birthday next week. "She was enjoying her retirement," said Mrs Sweet.She said her sister was due to celebrate her 67th birthday next week. "She was enjoying her retirement," said Mrs Sweet.
"Why? That is all I can ask. She didn't provoke anybody.""Why? That is all I can ask. She didn't provoke anybody."
She added: "There is no reason for it whatsoever. They (Mrs Pole's sons Ian and Keith) are not coping. You just get numb and it hits you for six." She added: "There is no reason for it whatsoever. They (Mrs Poole's sons Ian and Keith) are not coping. You just get numb and it hits you for six."
Fellow skittle player Janet Bradshaw said the team had been due to play at the Green Fly club in the nearby village of Bedwas when the incident happened.Fellow skittle player Janet Bradshaw said the team had been due to play at the Green Fly club in the nearby village of Bedwas when the incident happened.
She said everyone in the close-knit community had been stunned by the tragedy.She said everyone in the close-knit community had been stunned by the tragedy.
"She was a friend for life," said Mrs Bradshaw, 63."She was a friend for life," said Mrs Bradshaw, 63.
"She was kind, loving and considerate. She wouldn't do anybody a bad turn. I have lived here all my life and I have never been worried about walking out but now I'm really frightened.""She was kind, loving and considerate. She wouldn't do anybody a bad turn. I have lived here all my life and I have never been worried about walking out but now I'm really frightened."
Mrs Bradshaw said she would often accompany Mrs Poole on weekends away with the skittle team and worked with her in some local factories before their retirement.Mrs Bradshaw said she would often accompany Mrs Poole on weekends away with the skittle team and worked with her in some local factories before their retirement.
"We are all devastated," added Mrs Bradshaw."We are all devastated," added Mrs Bradshaw.
The arrested man is from New Tredegar in the northern part of Caerphilly county. He remains in police custody and is being questioned. Chris Eatwell, steward at the Llanbradach social club, said people were in tears last night when the news came through.
Meanwhile, officers are still searching for the weapon used in the incident. "We were in the middle of the quiz when we heard," said Mr Eatwell. "We knew by then that she had been stabbed but the news didn't filter through that she had died until about 10.30pm.
"We decided to call it a night and the club members were leaving in tears."
He added: "She was a regular at the club, coming here on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. She was bubbly, generous and had a heart of gold."
Mrs Poole's son, Keith, is the vice chairman of the club.
Supt Jon Burley appealed for witnesses to come forward and said patrols had been increased in the area.Supt Jon Burley appealed for witnesses to come forward and said patrols had been increased in the area.
"This is an unusual and tragic incident and it is not believed to be domestic-related. However, we are trying to establish the circumstances that led to the death of Mrs Poole," he said."This is an unusual and tragic incident and it is not believed to be domestic-related. However, we are trying to establish the circumstances that led to the death of Mrs Poole," he said.
"It is known that she was waiting for a lift on her way to a local skittles club when the incident occurred."It is known that she was waiting for a lift on her way to a local skittles club when the incident occurred.
Over 70 officers are working on this investigation and there are increased patrol levels in the Llanbradach area Supt Jon Burley, Gwent Police "We are appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of De Winton Terrace, including the lanes behind the main road, or on their way to the De Winton Pub in the area between 6.30pm and 9pm last night and saw anyone acting suspiciously to come forward."
"We are appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of De Winton Terrace, including the lanes behind the main road, or on their way to the De Winton Pub in the area between 6.30pm and 9pm last night and saw anyone acting suspiciously to come forward. "Our thoughts are with the family of Gwen Poole at this time and we have specially trained officers offering them support," he added.
"They could hold vital information that could help the investigation.
"We are continuing to search for a weapon which has yet to be located."
Of the large cordoned-off area, Supt Burley added: "We appreciate that there will be disruption to residents and schools this morning and we ask that they are patient.
"Residents will continue to see a lot of activity in the area this morning. We are speaking to a number of witnesses. We are continuing with house-to-house enquiries and we are continuing to search the area."
The street remained cordoned off and 70 officers are working on the inquiry.
"Our thoughts are with the family of Gwen Poole at this time and we have specially trained officers offering them support," said Supt Burley.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Wednesday.A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Wednesday.
The arrested man is from New Tredegar in the northern part of Caerphilly county. He remains in police custody and is being questioned.
Anybody with information about the murder is asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Anybody with information about the murder is asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.