Murder accused 'thought he was being scammed'

A man accused of murdering his son's girlfriend believed he was being scammed by the two of them, a court has heard.

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

Richard Jones, 50, from Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, has admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility but denies her murder.

Swansea Crown Court heard that he told a psychiatrist that he believed he had been tricked out of the deeds for his mother's house by his son and Ms Evans.

The jury had previously heard that Ms Evans and Mr Jones were known to each other as Ms Evans was in a relationship with Mr Jones's son, Jamie Davies.

On Friday the court heard from Dr Neda Mehprooya, a consultant psychiatrist who conducted a fitness for police interview with Mr Jones after his arrest.

Dr Mehprooya told the court there was "no evidence" that Mr Jones had psychotic symptoms, but that he had spoken of suicidal thoughts and being on medication for depression and anxiety.

The court was told Mr Jones had been unemployed for three years, and experienced "chronic suicidality" in that time.

The jury also heard Mr Jones was interviewed by police officers nine times over two days, initially giving "no comment" answers to all questions.

Mr Jones was later asked by Det Con Jonathan Gouldson about internet searches he had made about being a victim of identity fraud, and when asked if he believed he was a victim, said: "Yeah I think so."

During a later interview, the court heard DC Gouldson asked Mr Jones what happened on the day of Ms Evans' death, to which Mr Jones replied: "My head went over this scam."

Asked what happened, he said: "I can't really remember about it all, I was erratic."

He told officers he remembered going to Ms Evans' house to look at drains at the property, and she answered the door in a towel, having come out of the shower.

The court was told Mr Jones said he started talking about the "scam" to Ms Evans.

During the police interview Mr Jones said he "lost his head", when Ms Evans said "nothing" about it.

"She said it wasn't my idea, it was Jamie's," he told DC Gouldson.

The court heard Mr Jones said he banged his hand on the kitchen island, and when asked why, he said: "My temper I think."

"I lost my rag didn't I?," he added.

Mr Jones then said he did not remember anything except being "down the country park" hours later.

The court heard Mr Jones told officers during the interview he sometimes suffers from memory "blackouts".

Asked about injuries to Ms Evans' body and whether Mr Jones caused them, he replied, "I don't think so".

Told it seemed "impossible" that someone else could have caused Ms Evans' injuries, he said "it seems it", the court heard.

The trial continues.