The Pembrokeshire Murders

[Bert45]

I have watched the ITV series "The Pembrokeshire Murders". I thought it was very good. It explained the process by which John Cooper was brought to justice. But there is just one thing I don't understand. The sketch of the man who was seen using Peter Dixon's credit/debit(?) card at an ATM played a significant part in the development of the story.

Why would the witness who provided the sketch artist with the description have taken any notice of the man at the cash machine? How would the witness know the the man was using a stolen card?

I assumed that Cooper threatened Dixon to get him to reveal his PIN before shooting him.

[Patsy33]

The bank would know what time & day the card was used, then looked to who else used it in those few minutes.

[Arrods]

But still doesn't answer the question how anyone would take such notice at the time.

[Patsy33]

Well, this one did! Perhaps he stood out from the crowd.

[maggiebee]

I assumed that the police put out an appeal for anyone who had used the ATM at that time to come forward.

[barry1010]

Surprising what people when they are stood in a queue with no smart phone to look at, especially when its a man wearing too short women's shorts

[malagabob]

A follow up program was on last night. Featuring the real police team, plus a film of John Coopers arrest.

[barry1010]

Was that the real John Cooper in the Bullseye segment?

[theshedman]

I thought that it was good. Not dragged out like some of these dramas. I was shocked when they went in the naval club to see Cooper's son as I used to be a regular in there over 40 years ago and to see it has gone downhill that much is upsetting. I noticed they blanked out the bottom of the sign outside which to this day still says Port Talbot.

[237SJ]

barry - yes it was.

[Patsy33]

Keith Allen, who played John Cooper, did a great job of acting out his character. Seen him a couple of times walking around a local town where I believe he still lives.

[barry1010]

Thank you, sj

[Sunk]

The bank ATM would have recorded which cards were used in which order. So they could trace the people behind the man using the stolen card. If in was quite close in time (a day or two) after the card was used, the memory of the witness would have been good. Very good in this instance.
I think every ATM videos every user these days.

[Bert45]

Thanks to all! Patsy33 gave pretty much the same answer as Sunk. I think they used some CGI to put Keith Allen's face onto Cooper's in the series.

[gness]

Just watched all three episode. I'm so glad I did.
What a fascinating programme.
With what we are going through just now in Ireland it heartens me that there are those who are so determined to search for the truth.

[Eve]

It was very good. I wonder ATM wise, I'm not sure where the card was used but, if it was a small place, then could well be that someone not local/familiar was noticed more.

Creepily, they think he may be linked to other deaths: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/five-unexplained-deaths-linked-pembrokeshire-19629704

[237SJ]

I can still remember the drawing of the "wild looking man" I used to work with the brother of one of the victims. We never asked him about it and he never talked about it. I hope the drama hasn't opened up old wounds.

[gness]

Malagabob. Thanks for the info about the follow up. We don't get ITV here so don't know what is broadcast but Dave was able to find it.
An interesting follow up indeed. Thanks again.

[ummmm]

I'm an observer. I notice things about people lots of people wouldn't. I don't do it on purpose.

The police employ people who are able to recognise people when they only glanced at them.

I could describe someone I seen for a few seconds....but I don't remember where I've put my purse. Peoples brains work in different ways.

[237SJ]

ummmm - you can take part in studies about that. I have been participating with the University of Greenwich for some time for such studies.

[Bert45]

When I saw the programmes, they didn't explain how the drawing came about. I got the imprssion that the police just asked for "witnesses" – to what? – and somebody came forward to describe a man they had seen at an ATM. Sunk's explanation makes sense, though I don't know if it's what actually happened. Although the Bullseye tape established that Cooper was lying (or mistaken/forgetful) when he said he'd never had shoulder length hair, I didn't see that it was so important in proving Cooper was Dixon's killer. Yes, the sketch looked quite a bit like Cooper on Bullseye, it wasn't exactly a photographic likeness. The Dixon murders were in 1989, the cold case review began in 2006. I don't know when Cooper was interviewed, but could you remember the way you had your hair 17 years or more ago? I think that the DNA evidence that linked the shorts found at his home with the Dixons was much more important.