Dyfed-Powys Police announced tonight that a local man has been charged with two unsolved double murders committed more than 20 years ago.

Deputy Chief Constable Andrew Edwards told a press conference that John William Cooper aged 64, of Spring Gardens, Letterston has been charged with the murders of Helen and Richard Thomas at Scoveston Manor in 1985, and the murders of Peter and Gwenda Dixon on the Pembrokeshire coastal path in 1989.

Cooper has also been charged with two serious sexual assaults and five attempted robberies in Milford Haven in 1996.

DCC Andrews said: “The murders of Richard Helen Thomas in their home at Scoveston Manor in 1985 and of Peter and Gwenda Dixon in 1989 on the Pembrokeshire coastal path had a significant and lasting impact on the communities of this county.

“Dyfed-Powys carried out extensive investigations into both incidents at the time. You will be aware that Operation Ottawa has recently been carrying out a thematic review of these murders and other serious crimes.”

Cooper will appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.

A statement from the Dixon family was also read out. It said: “We the family of Peter and Gwenda Dixon have been informed today that, following a review of their case, a man has been charged with their murder.

“We welcome this development and are grateful to Dyfed-Powys Police for keeping us up to date during this investigation. We feel it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Steven Mears appealed for anyone with any information they think might be relevant to the cases to contact them on 101.