William Davies arriving at court last year

The 59-year-old - who neighbours have named as William Davies of Dolau Farm - appeared in court last December, where he was said to be severely depressed but "no danger to anyone else".

Placed under a two-year rehabilitation order, he admitted slapping and threatening to shoot 27-year-old Caroline Evans, who along with her father ran the Red Lion pub in the Carmarthenshire village of Llangadog in the Tywi Valley, west Wales.

A major investigation is now under way after the farmer and landlady - who was five months pregnant - were found shot dead in the premises on Thursday evening.

One of the theories detectives have is a possible murder and suicide.

Caroline Evans was five months pregnant

A spokesman for the Dyfed-Powys force said: "Police investigations are currently on going into how the deceased (Mr Davies)came to be in possession of a shot gun."

He added that Mr Davies did not have a gun license and that his gun had been confiscated following the court conviction.

The spokesman also confirmed that detectives were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths, although they were keeping an "open mind".

Newspaper reports from around the time Mr Davies appeared in court, claim that the farmer tried to kill himself in a police cell after being arrested.

It went on to say that Llandovery magistrates heard that he was suffering from a severe depressive illness which psychiatrists said were affected by the Glanrhyd rail disaster, the death of a close friend as well as personal problems.

It was just before 1800 GMT on Thursday that a "number of shots were heard" coming from the Red Lion.

Shots were heard at the Red Lion pub

Police arrived at the scene soon after and the pub was sealed off. Roads were only re-opened at 1600 BST on Friday.

A team of ballistics experts are examining the pub - where the two odies remain - and forensic examinations are continuing.

In addition, a team of five or six police currently combing the main street looking for clues.

Eyewitnesses have said the village on Friday morning was like a ghost town with residents staying inside.

Chief Inspector Alun Harris said: "Several members of the public reported hearing the sound of a firearm being shot.

A police incident room was set up on the premises of a concrete works at the entrance to the village.

One villager said: "Both of the people involved in this are well known in the community and I cannot see the village ever getting over this.

"But this is the worst thing that could have happened in Llangadog."