This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8330220.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Shotgun murders trial date is set | Shotgun murders trial date is set |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A man accused of two double shotgun murders in west Wales in the 1980s is to stand trial next June. | A man accused of two double shotgun murders in west Wales in the 1980s is to stand trial next June. |
| John William Cooper, 64, of Letterston, near Fishguard, appeared at Swansea Crown Court via video link to plead not guilty to the four counts of murder. | |
| He denied killing brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas at their mansion near Milford Haven in 1985. | He denied killing brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas at their mansion near Milford Haven in 1985. |
| He also denied killing Peter and Gwenda Dixon, of Witney, Oxfordshire, on the Pembrokeshire coastal path in 1989. | He also denied killing Peter and Gwenda Dixon, of Witney, Oxfordshire, on the Pembrokeshire coastal path in 1989. |
| Mr Cooper was arrested in May by cold-case detectives from Dyfed-Powys Police. | Mr Cooper was arrested in May by cold-case detectives from Dyfed-Powys Police. |
| At the hearing in Swansea, he also denied rape, indecent assault and five counts of attempted robbery in Milford Haven in 1996. | At the hearing in Swansea, he also denied rape, indecent assault and five counts of attempted robbery in Milford Haven in 1996. |
| The defendant appeared in the court via video link from Long Lartin Prison, Worcestershire. | The defendant appeared in the court via video link from Long Lartin Prison, Worcestershire. |
| Mr Justice John Griffith Williams said: "This case is adjourned for trial in the week commencing June 7. | Mr Justice John Griffith Williams said: "This case is adjourned for trial in the week commencing June 7. |
| "The defendant, until that date, will remain in custody." | "The defendant, until that date, will remain in custody." |
| The trial is expected to last eight weeks. | The trial is expected to last eight weeks. |