Iraq vet haunted by demons dies after being Tasered by cops after he had ‘stabbed his dog and himself’
Corporal Spencer Beynon, who spent 15 years in the army, collapsed after being hit by Taser at up to 50,000 volts
AN ex-soldier has died after being Tasered by police as he 'stabbed his pet dog before turning the knife on himself'.
Corporal Spencer Beynon, 43, had been suffering from post traumatic stress disorder following a 15-year stint in the army, which saw him tour Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is understood Mr Beynon - known as Spence - was injured and officers were worried about his own safety before firing the Taser at him.
Eyewitnesses told how he had stabbed his beloved pet dog Lucky with a kitchen knife before stabbing himself.
One said: ";He stabbed his dog before the police turned up and then he stabbed himself."
Several neighbours reported hearing an "almighty commotion" before the arrival of several police cars.
The ex-soldier collapsed after being hit by the Taser at up to 50,000 volts and died just yards from his home.
Now an independent investigation has been launched into his tragic death.
Paying tribute, his elder sister Esther, said: "I'm trying to be strong for my parents.
"I just can't speak at the moment, our hearts are ripped in pieces and our lives will never be the same again, my baby bro and the man I loved more than anything has left my life and there was nothing I could do to help him.
"But he's at peace now and that is all that is giving me the tiniest bit of comfort!
Halder Monteiro, 43, who lives nearby, saw the incident unfold.
He said: "I was in the house and I could hear lots of shouting and at first I just thought it was kids messing around.
"I then went out to see what was going on and I could see a guy in the street who looked totally out of it. "He didn't seem himself - as if he wasn't there. He just had this look in his eyes. You could tell he wasn't acting rationally."
He added: "He then started hitting his head against a window several times and looked to be holding a dog in his arms.
"After police used the Taser he fell to the floor and the dog he was carrying was crawling on its back legs. It looked injured."
The former member of the Royal Welsh Regiment lost comrades in a roadside bomb attack in Basra - and was left traumatised by his experiences.
Since then he has been using cannabis to cope with life outside of the army.
His niece Georgia said: "My uncle was a truly an amazing man.
"Absolutely everyone loved him and I know he is going to be missed by so many.
";No one will EVER understand how much he has been through, but he is in a safe, happy place now.
"The whole family are distraught but we will get through this."
Mr Beynon had struggled to cope with life outside of the army since being released more than five years ago.
Soon after he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
On Tuesday night, police were called to his street in Llanelli, South Wales, after a neighbour raised the alarm.
A post mortem examination is due to be held.
MP for Llanelli, Nia Griffith, told The Sun she would be investigating the matte "vigorously";.
She said: “I am extremely concerned about reports of the police taser shooting incident in Llanelli, and would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the man who died.
"We need the IPCC to do a thorough investigation as to exactly how and why this happened, and I will be pursuing the matter vigorously with the relevant authorities."
His heartbroken friends say he had suffered with mental health problems after leaving the military.
Friend Brendan Goddard, 34, said he was totally shocked by the news.
He said: "Spencer was a lovely bloke. I've known him most of my life. He was a good guy but I think he had been struggling with his mental health since leaving the Army.
"Since he's come back home he's not been the same."
In December 2007 Spencer was welcomed back to Wales along with his regiment when hundreds of people lined the streets for a homecoming parade from Iraq.
Speaking about his time in Iraq, he said: "Obviously we knew the job in hand and we knew the dangers that we faced every day and that didn't deter us in what we had to do.
"However there were certain times when it was a very, very scary place to be.
"Unfortunately there were casualties and losses of lives which will affect the battalion and all who knew our friends and colleagues that passed away and it will affect us for a long time yet
"However we must go on and we will continue to do our job as professional as we can in future operations."
After leaving the army, he moved back to his hometown where he lived along with his pet dog.
Councillor Robert Davies, 61, said: "It is very sad. He was a nice guy, always had time to say hello, very pleasant. He was always with his dog.
"I think he found it hard coming out of the army. So many of our soldiers who serve their country are forgotten about.
"He was a very fit young man I would see him going to the gym or out on his bike but he would always wave and say hello."
Friend Tom Nasmyth-Shaw said: "He had served in the army all around the world - I think the whole town was incredibly proud of him.
"Spencer was massively for the community and he would do anything to help anyone - and that is what everyone is starting to see now through all the comments that have been left online. He always had my back.
"I think he will be best remembered for his loyalty - it was everything to him."
Police were called to his house after being called to reports about his behaviour.
Officers then discharged a taser in a bid to control him, and Spencer later died.
Dyfed Powys Police has referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
An IPCC spokeswoman said: "Dyfed Powys Police were called to an incident relating to serious concerns of the behaviour and welfare of a man.
"A man subsequently died.
"A full investigation has commenced, and Dyfed Powys Police referred the matter to the IPCC, who will now conduct an independent investigation.
"We are fully co-operating with them. Our thoughts are with the family of the man."
The IPCC confirmed it was investigating.
A spokesman said: "Dyfed Powys Police officers were called out by a member of the public who was concerned about the behaviour and welfare of a man who appeared to be injured.
"Officers attended and during engagement with the man, it is understood Taser was discharged.
"The man became unresponsive and was subsequently pronounced dead. The IPCC has begun an independent investigation."
He was arrested for having a knuckle-duster in 2012.
In 2013 he was found guilty of possessing cannabis - and a year later police found 17 plants growing in the garage at his home.
The court heard he was using up to half an ounce of cannabis a day to cope with his PTSD.
At the time his solicitor Laura Sherwood said: "This gentleman suffers greatly, and when I say greatly, I don't take that word lightly.
"I know there are people who come before the court saying that they suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder, but he suffers with this in everyday life.
"He says it is the only way to cope. This has come as a result of 15 years in the army and five operations."
He then tried to run his life around by setting up a community group in his home town last year to protect children in local playgrounds.
An inquest is due to be opened.
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