William Davies arriving at court last year

Carmarthenshire farmer William Davies, 59, is believed to have killed Caroline Evans, at the Red Lion in Llangadog on Thursday before turning the gun on himself.

He had appeared in court last December after making threats against her.

Police had recommended a charge of threatening to kill, but the CPS chose lesser charges, which carried community service as punishment.

Retired vet David Evans has told BBC Wales he was convinced his daughter would still be alive if the CPS had gone for the more serious charge, as Mr Davies would have had professional help.

"Nobody wanted him locked up in Strangeways for years," Mr Evans said.

"They wanted him to be given medical help, or whatever was appropriate, and if that had happened Caroline would be alive today."

In a statement issued to Radio Wales on Monday, the CPS said that Mr Davies had originally been charged with being in possession of a firearm and threats to kill.

"We reviewed the above charges and after careful consideration we changed the charges and proceeded with the charge of common assualt, breaching section 4 of the Public Order Act and being in possession of a firearm," the statement said.

Caroline Evans had been threatened by Davies

"We felt that these were charges that reflected the defendant's behaviour, they allowed the magistrates the same powers in sentencing, and also preserved the magistrates power to commit the case to the Crown Court if desired,"

"In order to advance with a case we need a realistic prospect of conviction and to this end these charges were in keeping with the defendant's behaviour."

Simon Rowlands, speaking on behalf of the CPS later added that the full circumstances of the incident had been outlined at the court in Ammanford.

Miss Evans' father said Mr Davies had continued to stalk Miss Evans after the court case, in which he admitted slapping and threatening to shoot the landlady.

Not detained

He apparently told her: "I'll blast your brains out. I won't see 60; you won't see 28. We'll go together."

Mr Davies was said to be severely depressed at the time of the court case but was not detained after psychiatrists ruled he was "no danger to anyone else".

He was ordered to do 60 hours community work, was put under a 24 month supervision order, and received psychiatric treatment in Carmarthen.

Police have confirmed Mr Davies had lost his shotgun licence last autumn, and they are investigating an offence of burglary in relation to the shotgun found at the scene.

They are continuing to investigate the probability that Mr Davies shot Miss Evans before killing himself.

They have said they are satisfied that no other person was involved in the incident.

Serious concerns

Local MP Adam Price is to ask Home Secretary David Blunkett to set up a judicial inquiry into the handling of the case.

Mr Price, the Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, will voice serious concerns about the CPS's decision not to charge Mr Davies with making threats to kill.

On Sunday morning, prayers were said in the church in Llangadog for Miss Evans - who was five months pregnant - and Mr Davies, led by Reverend Mike Cottam.

The vicar warned villagers that they should not give in to feelings of anger, but he also spoke of the need for an explanation from the authorities as to why no action was taken earlier which may have prevented the tragedy.

'Let down'

Councillor Meirion Davies said after the service: "The warning did come during that first court appearance.

"We honestly believe that the services let William Davies down badly.

"I wouldn't say he was a sick man, but he wasn't 100%. He wasn't the William we knew 12 months ago, and the professionals should have recognised that."

The service came a day after leading QC Lord Carlile of Berriew called for a independent inquiry surrounding the court case involving Mr Davies in December.

He said somebody such as a judge should carry out a review of the case to make certain risk assessments had been carried out properly and the appropriate action taken.