Guilty verdict in murder investigation

A MAN who killed his son’s girlfriend in a fit of rage has been found guilty of murder.

Richard Jones denied murdering Sophie Evans, but admitted manslaughter – saying he snapped when he suspected the victim and her boyfriend, his son Jamie Davies, were trying to defraud him.

Following a two-week trial, a jury reached a guilty verdict against the 50-year-old of Y Rhoddfa, Burry Port.

The court heard how Jones arrived at Sophie’s home in Bigyn Road, Llanelli, at 9.19am on July 5, 2024. He was captured on a doorbell camera speaking on the phone with Sophie before she let him in through the front door.

He was at the home for just 40 minutes before CCTV shows him running back to his car, returning to the house and then driving away. By this time, he had attacked Sophie and left her for dead in her kitchen.

Following the incident, CCTV footage shows Jones driving to Llanelli town centre where he visited the bank and a bakery before going home to Burry Port. By 10.35am he had left his home address by car and was driving to Pembrey Country Park.

Through a series of text messages to an ex-partner, Jones explained that he thought he had been ‘scammed’ and that he ‘won’t be about’. He’d suspected Sophie and his son Jamie Davies of trying to defraud him.

At 5.27pm Dyfed-Powys Police received a 999-call reporting that Richard Jones had killed Sophie Evans. Officers immediately attended her address and forced entry through the back door. Sophie was found on the kitchen floor and was confirmed to have died.

Fifteen minutes later, Jones again text his ex-partner asking her not to say anything.

Following police enquiries, Jones was found by police near the entrance to Pembrey Country Park at 8pm. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to hospital where he remained for four days.

When he arrived at custody on July 9, 2024, Jones made a phone call to his mother in which he told her he had ‘messed up again’.

During their enquiries, officers found notes handwritten by Jones stating, ‘I got scammed and rinsed by my own son, so I dealt with it myself, I had no other choice’.

On July 11, after nine interviews, he was charged with the murder of Sophie Evans.

Detective Superintendent Gareth Roberts said:

“The guilty verdict of the court is welcomed. Our thoughts at this time are with Sophie and the family and friends who loved her. Sophie was a young mother, beloved family member and friend. Richard Jones has been found guilty of what was a senseless, cowardly act triggered by anger and temper. Sophie was within her own home and not in a position to defend herself from Richard Jones’ cruel act of violence. The family will take some comfort that he’s now removed from society and cannot harm any others.”

Richard Jones will appear at court on March 3^rd for sentencing.