Nurse sends apology to OAP killed in food shop ‘stabbing’
ANURSE has sent a heartbreaking message of apology to an 88-year-old grandfather who was stabbed to death on a supermarket shopping trip, saying: “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
NHS worker Lisa Way, 53, was also injured in the attack inside a village Co-op where churchgoer John Rees was killed as his wife, Eunice, waited in the car.
A floral tribute from Ms Way was among dozens of flowers laid outside the church where John was a devoted member.
A card with the flowers said: “Dearest John, I am so sorry I couldn’t save you. I hope you are at peace now. Lisa Way xxx”
The grandmother works at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant and is married to Carl, also 53.
She was treated at her own hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
John’s family paid tribute to him, saying he “would do anything for anyone” – and was going to help the other victims of the stabbing attack when he died.
Nephew Michael Smith has paid tribute to his uncle and said he reacted with “absolute disbelief ” when he heard his uncle had been killed on the shopping trip.
He said: “It’s incredibly upsetting. You feel sorry for the person impacted, but you have no comprehension about the knock-on for the family.”
Mr Rees left his wife, Eunice, 87, in their car outside the Co-op store in Penygraig, Rhondda, while he did their shop.
Nephew Mr Smith said: “My aunt is extremely frail. Eunice was totally dependent on him.
“Even though John was 88 he was physically fit and would often take her out to Pontypridd and they would sit in the Prince’s Café.
“He was so very well thought of. Everyone knows John. If you can model yourself on him you’d do quite well.
“If you try and think ‘what would he do?’ in a situation and do it, you’ll be on the right track.”
A fund has raised more than £1,500 in memory of Mr Rees.
It will go to the local All Saints Church, which the retired engineer attended all his life.
Mr Rees rang its church bells every Thursday night in honour of NHS staff – and now other members of the congregation will ring them in his memory.
The GoFundMe page was set up to “show the huge community support for a much loved man and his wife Eunice.”
■ A 29-year-old woman appeared at Cardiff Crown Court by video link on Monday charged with Mr Rees’ murder.
Zara Radcliffe, 29, is also accused of the attempted murder of three others – Andrew Price, Gaynor Saurin and Ms Way.
Mr Jones said a trial date for Radcliffe, who did not enter a plea, has been set for October 19 at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
Radcliffe, from Wyndham Street, Porth, was remanded in custody by Judge Paul Thomas QC.