Crime

Carmarthenshire man jailed for life for murdering son’s partner

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2025

A MAN has been jailed for life after murdering his son’s partner in a brutal attack, believing she had scammed him out of property deeds.

Sophie Evans, 32, was found naked and face down on the kitchen floor of a house in Llanelli on July 5, 2024. Richard Jones, 50, from Burry Port, was convicted of her murder at Swansea Crown Court in January.

Jones, who denied murder but admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility, was sentenced on Monday and must serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

‘Callous indifference’

The court heard Jones was convinced Ms Evans had manipulated him into signing over the deeds to his mother’s house. On the morning of the murder, he went to her home shortly after she had taken her children to school, attacked her, and then left the property.

Prosecutor Mike Jones told the court that Jones was “not experiencing significant emotional distress” at the time and had shown “callous indifference” to his actions. “By his own admission, he had a historic short fuse. On the day in question, he lost his temper, attacked Sophie, and strangled her, causing her death.”

CCTV footage showed Jones leaving the property moments after the killing. He then carried on with his day, ordering a new bank card and buying pastries at a bakery.

‘A cruel, senseless act’

During the sentencing, Sophie Evans’ sister, Kerry Quinlan, read a victim statement on behalf of the family, describing her death as a “cruel, senseless act” that had “changed our family forever”.

“She was the rock of our family and the best mum. Her daughters cry themselves to sleep every night asking for her, but they will never see her again,” she said.

Ms Evans’ partner, Jamie Davies, also gave a statement, describing her as “the most beautiful person I could ask for” and condemning Jones’ actions as “truly unforgivable”.

Delusional disorder claim rejected

Jones claimed he suffered from a delusional disorder, believing he had been deceived by Ms Evans and his son. His defence lawyer, David Elias, said his client was “100% certain” in his belief that he had been scammed.

However, a jury rejected his diminished responsibility plea after hearing evidence from two psychiatrists. Senior crown prosecutor Abul Hussain said: “The evidence presented demonstrated that Richard Jones bore full responsibility for his callous actions.”

‘Frenzied attack’

Sentencing Jones, Judge Geraint Walters described the murder as a “frenzied attack on a woman in a towel in her own home”.

“The duration of the attack was short but frenzied. The force you used meant Sophie must have realised her life was in danger,” he said. “You left the property not making any calls to see if her life could be saved. Instead, you calmly went about your business.”

Jones showed no emotion as he was led from the dock.

Crime

Local carpenter retains driving licence despite previous ban

Published

21 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A Herbrandston carpenter has been allowed to keep his driving licence despite a previous driving disqualification for using his mobile phone whilst driving.

Addressing District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week, Simon Shaw stressed the disqualification was having a major impact on his work commitment as well as his ability to support members of his family.

“If the ban continues, at least two of my five employees will have to be lost” said Shaw, who works as a self-employed carpenter operating from Herbrandston and the Milford Haven Industrial Estate.

“We travel throughout the whole of West Wales and also work at Thorne Island, where we’ve been providing logistical support for renovations for the last four years.”

Shaw, of Triplestone Close, Herbrandston, went on to say that his business has only one other driver who works as a reserve fire fighter.

“As a result, he’s not available to provide the 24 hour cover we provide to various care homes in the county,” he said.

Simon Shaw concluded by stating that his daughter is also dependent on his support having recently given birth to twins while his son-in-law and his partner’s mother are both currently undergoing serious healthcare treatments.

“I’m trying to provide as much logistical support for them as I can, but without my driving licence, this is impossible,” he said.

After listening to his comments, Judge Layton granted Shaw permission to retain his licence.

Crime

Delivery driver caught twice over legal drink-drive limit

Published

21 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A DELIVERY driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel when he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Twenty-nine year old Sam Rowe was stopped by officers just before 9.30 am on April 20 as he drove his Vauxhall Vivaro along Ferry Lane in Pembroke Dock.

“His speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

“There was also a strong smell of intoxicants emanating from him.”

When spoken to by the officers, Rowe stated he’d drunk a pint of alcohol approximately an hour before being stopped, however subsequent breathalyser tests showed he had no less than 75 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Rowe, of Hazel Close, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to the offence and was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher who informed the court that the defendant was holidaying in Pembrokeshire at the time of the offence.

“His daughter fell ill and he was attempting to find painkillers for her at a supermarket,” he said. “He’s very remorseful and is now going to lose his job as a delivery driver.”

Rowe, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for a total of 20 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Police tip-off leads to driving ban for Milford motorist

Published

21 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has lost his licence after police received information that the 40-year-old male may have been driving under the influence of drugs.

This week Haverfordwest Magistrates court was told that at around 8.30pm on November 22 officers received a call informing them that Michael Miles was suspected of driving his Peugeot Bipper through Milford Haven after consuming drugs.

Miles was subsequently stopped on Marble Hall Road and when spoken to by the officers, he informed them that he was a drug user. A saliva sample tested positive for cocaine while further tests carried out at the police station showed that Miles had 760 mcg of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine in his system, the legal limit being 50.

Miles, of Milford Road, Steynton, chose to be legally unrepresented in court and pleaded guilty to the drug-driving charge.

The probation service said he was very remorseful for the offence and has since had appointments with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service to help him deal with his drug usage. Miles was served with an interim driving disqualification however as a result of his previous non-payment of fines, his punitive sentencing was adjourned to Thursday, May 7.

“If you pay your outstanding fines before Thursday, you will be fined for this offence,” warned District Judge Mark Layton. “But if you don’t pay, you will be given a custodial sentence.”