Ex-Pc stab police given more time

Geoffrey Harries moved to the village after protests at his Pembrey home

Police have been granted a 24-hour extension to question a 30-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of a former police constable.

Geoffrey Harries, 49, was fatally stabbed on Saturday in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire while awaiting trial on child pornography charges.

He had been due to appear in Cardiff Crown Court next week charged with downloading 2,082 indecent images.

Police have until 0200 BST on Wednesday to make a decision on the arrested man.

Meanwhile, detectives are continuing house-to-house inquiries in the Dythel Park area of Trimsaran where the former Dyfed-Powys Police officer of 23 years was stabbed in the street outside his home early on Saturday.

In a press conference on Monday police confirmed Mr Harries had left his home village of Pembrey after news of his impending court case became public but they denied that vigilantism was an issue in the case.

Det Ch Con Andy Edwards said: "There was some disquiet in the Pembrey area and that was discussed with local officers and as a result of that, Mr and Mrs Harries decided to move of their own accord to Dythel Park.

This tragedy marks the end of many months of anguish and heartache for the family Family statement

"As far as we're concerned, we've no evidence to support charges of vigilantism in this case. We have no reports of any criminal activity associated with Mr Harries since he's been at Dythel Park."

Det Ch Con Edwards said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

Mr Harries' family issued a statement through Dyfed- Powys Police in which they said his death "marks the end of many months of anguish and heartache for the family".

"Geoff was a loving husband and son, who meant so much to his family and was well regarded by people who knew him.

"He was a gentle man and family-orientated and always willing to help friends and family."

The family added that at the time of his death he was not convicted of any offences "and we mourn his loss".

Residents spoke of their shock at the killing

Mr Harries was on bail after allegations of having images of the sexual abuse of children on his computer while he was working with the police.

He appeared before magistrates in Cardiff on 13 May accused of 15 offences of making indecent images between May 2005 and December 2007, and one charge of possessing indecent images on 26 November last year.

The court heard nine of the images found on the computer were classed as level five - the most serious on the scale.

He had released on bail until 16 June for a pre-trial review at Cardiff Crown Court.

A mobile police station has been set up in Trimsaran.

Police are still looking at a number of crime scenes, but some areas have seen cordons removed in a bid to "return to an air of normality".

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed- Powys Police on 0845 330 2000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.