Man charged with murder after woman found dead in car with puncture wounds

A man has been charged with murder after a housing association worker died following a car crash in South Wales, having sustained "puncture wounds".

Eleanor Barnfield, 47, died in hospital after her car collided with a wall on Coity Road in Bridgend on Monday afternoon.

Clifford Foster, 61, of Bridgend, has been charged with murder in connection with her death.

He is due to appear at Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday.

South Wales Police had previously said Ms Barnfield, who worked at the Valleys to Coast housing association, had suffered injuries, described as "puncture wounds" that were not related to the collision.

Senior Investigating Officer Claire Lamerton, of South Wales Police, said: "My thoughts remain with Eleanor's loved ones at such a devastating time, and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.

"This is not being investigated as a domestic incident, and I encourage the public to not speculate about the circumstances as court proceedings are now active."

In a tribute issued through police on Wednesday, Ms Barnfield's family said: "Mum was the kindest, most loving, bravest person in the world.

"She meant everything to us and will be forever loved and missed deeply by her devoted family and friends. She was our rock."

'Significant' investigation

The murder charge follows a "significant policing operation" around Ger-y-Nant, a sheltered housing and retirement complex managed by the Valleys to Coast housing association, where Ms Barnfield worked.

Ger-y-Nant contains 13 flats, has non-resident management staff and accepts new residents aged 60 or over, according to an online profile of the facility.

Valleys to Coast housing association chief executive, Jo Oak, said previously the firm was "devastated" by Ms Barnfield's "tragic" death.

"Eleanor was a much-valued member of the Valleys to Coast team, and her loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and worked alongside her.

"She made an important contribution to our organisation and to the communities we serve, and she will be remembered with great warmth and affection by her colleagues.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Eleanor's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.

"We are doing everything we can to support those affected by her loss."

Response speculation dismissed

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said previously responders were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Coity Road, at 12.44pm on Monday.

A response unit was there within seven minutes after the initial call at 12:51pm, with two emergency ambulances arriving by 1.13pm, the service said.

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"Advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service who arrived in a Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.

"The patient was conveyed by road to hospital.

"We are aware that contradictory and misleading rumours regarding a delayed ambulance response have been circulating on social media.

"These are factually untrue and we would encourage members of the public not to speculate," the spokesperson said.

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