A man is accused of strangling his son’s girlfriend to death before stopping at a bakery for a tuna roll and a custard slice.
Richard Jones went to do some DIY at Sophie Evan’s home in July 2023. The 30-year-old answered the door wrapped in a towel after stepping out of the shower. Tragically, she was later found dead on the kitchen floor, face down, with a towel tied to a cupboard around her neck, reports the Mirror.
Jones, 50, has admitted to killing the mother of two but denies murder, instead pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Prosecutor Michael Jones told Swansea Crown Court that Jones visited Sophie at her home in Llanelli, west Wales, before attacking and strangling her.
The court was shown Ring doorbell footage capturing Jones leaving the house on Bigyn Road at 10am, 44 minutes after arriving. He is seen running to his car before briefly re-entering the property and then leaving five minutes later with a cigarette in his mouth.
After the attack, Jones drove to Jenkins Bakery, where he ordered a tuna roll and a custard slice. CCTV footage later showed him arriving at his home in Burry Port at 10.29am, carrying the bakery items. Shortly afterward, he left his house holding a yellow box.
A post-mortem examination determined Sophie’s cause of death as compression to the neck.
The court heard that a notepad found in Jones’ vehicle contained a disturbing message: “I got scammed and rinsed by my own son so I dealt with it myself. Had no other choice.”
At the time of her death, Sophie was in a relationship with Jones’ son, Jamie Davies, and had moved into his property in April 2023. She was covering the mortgage payments while Jamie was in HMP Swansea on charges of drug supply and money laundering.
Jones told Dyfed-Powys Police during interviews that he felt financially exploited by Sophie and Jamie, claiming he “lost his temper” before the incident.
Sophie’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as “beautiful and amazing” and saying their lives would never be the same. “She was a loving mother to her two girls, who she adored with all her heart. An amazing sister, who was the rock of our family. So bright and funny, always making us laugh,” they said.
The family added: “Sophie lived life to the fullest, and will be remembered for her kindness and love for her children and family. She had a passion for beauty therapy, fitness, and fashion. We are heartbroken and grateful for the support we’ve received during this horrific time. We ask for privacy as we grieve.”
The trial is expected to last two weeks and continues.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond.Sign up to our daily newsletter.