A TEAM of officers and staff from Dyfed-Powys Police who investigated the murder of a soldier in Brecon have been commended for their work.
The team of 13 police personnel received the commendations at an awards ceremony held at police headquarters in Camarthen on Friday, November 3.
Altogether 60 commendations and 20 certificates of appreciation were handed out by Chief Constable Mark Collins and Deputy Chief Constable Darren Davies on a night when the work of the police is put in the spotlight.
The investigation was carried out into the death of Private Matthew Boyd, of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, who was discovered fatally injured in Lion Street, Brecon, on May 9 2016.
A Dyfed-Powys Police incident room was set up in the wake of the tragedy and on December 8 2016, Brecon amateur boxer Jake Vallely was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in jail after he was found guilty of the murder following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
The outcome of the case had rested on CCTV evidence which showed Pte Boyd had been subjected to a sustained and vicious attack before being left for dead.
The team who received commendations for their work on the murder case was led by Detective Superintendent David Guiney. As senior investigating officer, DS Guiney was responsible for all aspects of the investigation, and it was he who took the overnight call that there had been a murder in the town centre. He was given invaluable support on the case by DS John Davies.
Deputy senior investigating officer on the case was Detective Inspector Neil Jenkins who balanced his role on the murder team with his role as a DI managing day-to-day police business in South Powys.
Exhibits/disclosure officer DC Damon Beall worked tirelessly on the enquiry, whilst also maintaining the same role for another murder enquiry and taking responsibility for meetings with CAB/CPS.
Digital media investigator DS Rob Gravelle took on responsibility of all of the telecoms data in the case. Office manager DS Richard Davies was responsible for the overall management of the Incident Room.
Indexer Helen Morgan was responsible for cataloguing all the documentation relating to the case. Analysts Fiona Morris and Jacqui Grant were responsible for reviewing all material in the case and compiling a sequence of events. Interviewing officer Dc Noel Blakeman led on each of the suspect interviews and developed the interview strategy.
Three other officers – DC Zoe Powell, PC Katy Cuthbertson and Sgt Gareth Tanswell – were all involved in liaising with Pte Boyd’s family, some of whom live in Gibraltar.
Chief Constable Collins said: “The officers and staff being awarded with Certificates of Commendation and Certificates of Appreciation have displayed bravery, professionalism and a commitment to duty. I would like to extend my gratitude on behalf of the communities of Dyfed-Powys for the courage and commitment shown by each of the recipients.”