Old-fashioned policing and community support helped Dyfed-Powys Police solve a murder and manhunt in Pendine.

On Thursday, September 27, 2018, Simon Clark, aged 54, was beaten, stabbed and killed at his home.

What unfolded was a complex and lengthy inquiry and manhunt that started with very little evidence - no CCTV, no witnesses and limited forensics.

Suspects Jeffrey Stephen Ward, aged 41, of Grove Caravan Park, Pendine, and Wayne David Baxter Tidy (known locally as Steve Baxter), aged 52, of West Close, Kimberworth Park, Rotherham, were identified with support from the community.

They went on the run, but police caught up with Ward and arrested him in St Clears on Sunday, September 30.

A large scale manhunt to find Baxter took place with enquiries spanning from Rotherham in South Yorkshire to Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. He was arrested in Pendine on Saturday, October 27, after being spotted by a dog walker.

DCI Paul Jones the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) for the case said: “I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr Clark for their loss in such horrific circumstances and thank them for their support throughout the investigation.

“I am pleased to receive the verdict Baxter has been found guilty of murdering Simon Clark. It brings a lengthy and complex inquiry to a conclusion for the family and loved ones of Mr Clark and for Dyfed-Powys Police.

“I hope this verdict will demonstrate to them that justice has been served, and the sentence will be a deterrent to anyone thinking of carrying knives.

“I would like to thank the many police officers and members of staff who formed part of the investigation team, who worked long and hard to ensure a thorough case was put before the courts.

“I must also thank members of the public and the community of Pendine for their support and patience during the investigation.”

The investigating team relied on traditional policing methods and community support to investigate the murder and to build a profile of Baxter and where he might be. The complexity of running a manhunt while trying to build a strong evidence case for the murder was challenging and led to two police operations being run simultaneously.

At the murder scene, forensic analysis of the scene identified blood belonging to the victim, but very little else. Officers built a picture of what happened from family members and other residents.

That information led to the first positive CCTV sighting of Baxter and Ward at Asda in Bridgend on Friday, September 28, the day after the murder. Baxter was wearing a dark wig and woollen hat as a disguise.

Detectives discovered the two suspects had been driven out of the area by Ward’s partner Julie Louise Harris, aged 46, of Wern St, Clydach, who pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice by assisting an offender.

Ward was arrested but Baxter continued to run. He was incredibly difficult to trace as he had no digital footprint for police to follow, which is often relied on in modern investigations.

He had no mobile phone, no car and no bank account. Detectives continued to visit and speak to people in communities where he had links.

He was traced to Glynneath and then to Haverfordwest through detectives speaking to people in areas familiar to Baxter, and a search of a wooded area near Haverfordwest led to the discovery of a hide.

Attention moved back to Pendine after discovery of another hide by a dog walker and a CCTV sighting of him buying food and drink supplies at the local store.

A forensic psychologist from the National Crime Agency was used to help build a profile of Baxter. This influenced the police activity even down to the wording used in the wanted media campaign.

DCI Paul Jones said: “I get asked why he returned to the area of the crime and I am convinced it was familiarity. He returned to an area that he knew well.

“He portrayed himself as an outdoors person who could live off the land. As we discovered his hides, it was evident that this was not necessarily the case and he was showing signs of starting to struggle living outdoors.

“We knew he was a dangerous man so we had to be particularly careful in our approach not to put any members of the public or officers at risk. It was an extremely frustrating and tiring time as we were so close to finding him.

“We had uniformed officers patrolling Pendine to reassure the community and behind the scenes we had a team of plain-clothed officers searching remote areas and woodlands in Pendine.”

Baxter was spotted by a member of the public on Saturday, October 27, on Marros Beach collecting mussels and seaweed.

The man was walking his dogs on the beach and they were barking after spotting who turned out to be Baxter.

He appeared to be trying to hide his face and didn’t look up, which the dog walker found strange.

He referred to the force’s wanted appeal on social media to confirm it was him and then called police. Baxter was swiftly located and arrested by plain-clothed officers.

“I will never forget receiving the call to say he had been arrested,” said DCI Jones.

“It was such a fantastic and very welcome relief - that we had caught him and got a dangerous man out of Pendine.

“I knew that as the days and weeks went on the investigative team were getting increasingly exhausted. Their hard work paid off and we’ve all played our part in making sure our force remains the safest place in England and Wales.”

STEVEN BAXTER SENTENCING

Steven Baxter, who stabbed to death his neighbour Simon Clark at a caravan park in Pendine, has been jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 24 years behind bars.

Baxter, aged 52, refused to leave his prison cell and attend Swansea crown court on Tuesday, with the judge, Mr Justice Picken, stating: “I’m addressing an empty chair but I will speak as if Baxter was in the dock.

“You and he were friends. In fact you had bought his caravan for him and he was paying you back.

“The first altercation involving Mr. Clark and Jeffrey Ward had ended.

“Your case of self defence was rejected by the jury. You were the aggressor and you should never have picked up that knife.

“You and you alone are to blame for his death.”

Mr. Justice Picken said there were several aggravating features - his previous convictions in particular.

“And I was unable to detect any remorse,” he added

Baxter was convicted on Monday or murdering 54 year old Mr. Clark, a father of three, at the Grove caravan park during a violent attack on September 27 last year.

Ward, aged 42, was also charged with murder but found not guilty and discharged.

Baxter stabbed Mr. Clark in his heart with a fish scaling knife before going on the run.

He was arrested a month later hiding out on Marros beach, not far from the scene of the murder.

It emerged today that Baxter already had a conviction for attempted murder and for several other offences of violence, theft, obtaining by deception and having sexual intercourse with an underage girl.

Paul Lewis, prosecuting, read victim impact statements from Mr Clark’s relatives, including his mother Meg and daughter Gemma.

Sarah Stockwell, his partner, described him as the love of her life.

“He was a good man with amazing energy. Baxter told lie after lie and I hope he never sees the outside ever again,” she wrote.

Also sentenced on Tuesday was Julie Harris, aged 46, who admitted attempting to pervert justice by driving Baxter and Ward, her partner, away from the scene.

She admitted later returning to the Grove during the night to remove cannabis plants from one of the caravans as Mr. Clark lay dead or dying.

His body was not found until the following day.

She drove Baxter and Ward to the home of Philip Powell in Glynneath, where the two men spent the night.

She also visited them at the home of Mansel Edwards in Tonypandy, where they spent some of the following day.

Later, they spent time at Harris’ home in Tonypand, “taking refuge,” said Mr. Lewis.

Ward spent the night there but Baxter headed elsewhere.

Later she drove Ward to St Clears and dropped him at the home of Ian Evans, where he was arrested.

She was arrested at the Portreeve restaurant in Laugharne where she worked.

Mr. Justice Picken told Harris her offending struck at the heart of justice.

“Your assistance was not fleeting and spanned several days,” he added.

She was jailed for 14 months, suspended for two years, after the court heard she had already spent 46 days in jail awaiting sentencing.

STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF SIMON CLARK

The past six months since the news of the fatal attack on Simon have been the most destroying any family could suffer.

Simon was a deeply caring and loving father to Jemma and his two sons aged 12 and 9.

He loved ’life’ and lived it in his own way, always caring and supportive to all his friends, especially those needing extra support to deal with illness and disability, he was a Samaritan to all.

He cared a great deal about life and despised ‘Man’s inhumanity to Man’ - which is constantly in the lives of those unable to protect, or speak for themselves, especially innocent children.

He told us often ‘I am the richest man in the world because Jemma and my boys are my precious treasures.’ He was so very proud when Jemma and Tim presented him over the past three years with two beautiful grandchildren.

His family, his partner and all his friends, cannot believe the evil gesture that has taken Simon from us.

We are all extremely grateful to Dyfed-Powys police for their unfailing diligence in the pursuit of both Simon’s perpetrators.

Their liaison team have supplied the ’strength’ that is taken from any family, in such a callous way, no justice can ever replace a life. No punishment can subdue the burden of grief that all Simon’s family and friends now have to carry.

It would not make this statement complete without our gratitude to the prosecuting council that kept us informed of every move in this dreadful trial. Their professional expertise, increased our respect and hopes day by day.

Their combined strength and perseverance against callous lies, continuous diversions and one of even total arrogance from the accused gave us the constant hope of justice for Simon.