No evidence murder accused was scammed - court

A man accused of murdering his son's girlfriend was suffering from a "delusional disorder" at the time of the killing, a court has heard.

The body of Sophie Evans was found at a property in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, on 5 July 2024.

Richard Jones believed he was being "scammed" by Ms Evans and his son, Jamie Davies, who she was in a relationship with - but the court heard there "was not a shred of evidence" this was true.

Mr Jones, 55, from Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, has admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility but denies her murder.

The court heard Mr Jones believed he was being "scammed" by Ms Evans and Mr Davies, after they "tricked" him into signing over the deeds to his mother's house.

David Elias KC, for the defence, told the jury these were "falsely held beliefs" caused by a delusional disorder.

Mr Elias reminded the jury of evidence given by consultant psychiatrist, Dr Dilum Jayawickrama, who interviewed Mr Jones after the incident in August 2024.

Dr Jayawickrama said Mr Jones was "100% certain in his beliefs" he had been scammed.

The court heard that Mr Jones told officers he had been taken to a solicitor's office by Ms Evans to sign forms, leading him to believe he had signed over the deeds to his mother's house.

"There is not a single shred of evidence to say that was true," Mr Elias told the jury.

He told the court evidence from the staff member who dealt with Ms Evans and Mr Jones at the solicitor's office said the "meeting lasted between five and 10 minutes and Richard remained silent throughout".

They added that "Richard did not sign any documents".

Mr Elias told the jury this belief held by Mr Jones led to "significant emotional distress", and Dr Jayawickrama's opinion was at the time of the killing, "there was abnormality of mental functioning because of significant emotional distress", which arose from a "delusional disorder".

Dr Jayawickrama concluded there was "substantial impairment in his ability to form a rational judgement because of the significant emotional distress".

During the prosecution's closing speeches, Mike Jones KC told the jury around the time Ms Evans was killed, Mr Jones "was not experiencing significant emotional distress" but "callous indifference" to what he did to her.

Mr Jones KC told the jury that the defendant had "by his own admission, a historic short fuse", and on the day of the incident "had lost his temper, attacked Sophie and strangled her, causing her death".

He reminded the jury of CCTV footage shown to the court, where Mr Jones is seen "calmly walking from the house" where Ms Evans was killed.

He told the jury to "consider this", when it is the defence's view he was experiencing "significant emotional distress".

Mr Jones did not give evidence during the trial, which defence barrister David Elias KC said, "is the defendant's right", and Mr Jones is aware of the "potential consequences".

Mr Elias told the court Mr Jones had given his version of events in police and psychiatric interviews.

The trial continues.