Although gruesome, this true tale became legend and the horrendous history of The New Inn along with its licensee,known as Cap Coch entered local folklore.
At the time of this story the main road stopped at the River Ogmore, passengers on the stage coaches from the West had to cross the river on foot and transfer to another coach at Ewenny for London. Many of these passengers were pack men on their way to trade their goods in the big city. The so called pack men also travelled via this road on foot and mule. Situated here was TheNew Inn which was seen as a welcomed site by these travellers and looked forward to a restful night before continuing their arduous journey. Little realising that this could be their last night on this Earth.
The landlord of the inn was bland, powerful looking, was known as Cap Coch as he wore the red stockingnet cap of the French Revolution Fighters. He along with his band of villains cut their throats whilst they slept and collected their merchandise of flannel, wool skin and stockings for their reward. They benefitted from a busy local market, and grew exceedingly rich
Cap Coch did not die peacefully at the age of90 years as declared by local legend, antiquarian records shows that he was hanged on Stallingdown, Cowbridge, for sheep stealing
Some 80 years after his death, a new bridge was built over the river and saw the end of TheNew Inn which quickly fell into decay and crumbled away. Early last century the remains of the inn were demolished and that’s when the truth came to light. A cave was discovered near the old kitchen and in it the last of the booty Cap Coch and his associates had keptThe gardenrevealed buried bodies, the victims of this macabre adventure. More were found in adjacent fields.
Hence his guilt was not proved until long after his death.