The trial of John William Cooper, the man accused of two notorious double murders in Pembrokeshire is due to start next week.

Starting on Monday, March 21st, the trial relating to the death of four people more than 20 years ago is expected to last ten weeks.

Cooper is accused of the murder of brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas at Scoveston Manor in 1985.

Cooper, who lived at Spring Gardens, Letterston, near Haverfordwest, before his arrest, is also charged with the killings of Peter Dixon and his wife Gwenda four years later.

In addition, he is charged with a rape and indecent assault, unrelated to the murders, and to several attempted robberies, all during the 1990s.

Cooper has entered pleas of not guilty to all the charges.

The 66-year-old is currently being held at Long Lartin category A prison in Worcestershire.

David Elias QC will lead the prosecution.

Richard Thomas was 58 and his sister was aged 54 when their bodies were found in the burned out remains of Scoveston Manor.

Peter Dixon, aged 51, and his 52-year-old wife, from Oxfordshire, were also shot dead.

They were attacked as they walked along the Pembrokeshire coast path near Little Haven.

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