Richard Jones has been accused of killing his daughter in law, Sophie Evans, 30, at her home in Llanelli, west Wales, after which he went into town and bought lunch from a bakery
A dad strangled his “beautiful and amazing” daughter-in-law, before then driving to a bakery and treating himself to a tuna roll and a custard slice.
Sophie Evans, 30, had been expecting her father-in-law Richard Jones to do some handy work at home. She answered the door in a towel after coming out of the shower and was found dead face down at home on a kitchen floor with a towel tied to a cupboard on her throat.
Jones, 50, has admitted killing the mother of two – but denies it was murder and admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility. Prosecutor Michael Jones said Jones visited Ms Evans at her home in Llanelli, west Wales, before the killing. He said: “What we know is in that house he physically and repeatedly attacked Ms Evans before strangling her to death.”
Swansea Crown Court heard their Ring doorbell footage shows Jones leaving the house at Bigyn Road at 10am – 44 minutes after arriving. He is seen running to his car before running back into the property and leave five minutes later with a rolled up cigarette in his mouth – and drives away.
The court heard he went straight to Jenkins Bakery to order a tuna roll and a custard slice before CCTV footage shows him arriving home in Burry Port at 10.29am with the packets from the bakery. He then leaves the house with a yellow box minutes later.
The post-mortem concluded a medical cause of death as compression to the neck.
Mr Jones KC tells the court a notepad was found in Jones’ vehicle following the death. It read: “I got scammed and rinsed by my own son so I dealt with it myself. Had no other choice.”
Sophie was in a relationship with Jones’ son Jamie Davies at the time and a mother of two young children. She moved into Jamie’s property in April 2023 and was paying the mortgage while Jamie was remanded at HMP Swansea facing charges of supplying drugs and money laundering.
After Sophie’s death, Jones told Dyfed-Powys Police officers in interviews that he was being taken advantage of financially by them and he had “lost his temper” before the killing in July last year. In a tribute, Sophie’s family said: “Our beautiful and amazing sister and daughter Sophie was tragically taken from us, and our lives will never be the same.
“We are heartbroken by our loss. Our Sophie, only 30 years young, will be greatly missed by us all.
“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. Sophie was a loving daughter, with a huge heart, who we all adored.
“She lived life to the fullest, and will be remembered for being so kind and caring to her loved ones. Sophie loved spending time with her children and family, had a passion for beauty therapy, and enjoyed keeping up with her fitness and the latest fashion trends.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support at this horrific time. It has meant a lot to the whole family. We would now like time to grieve, and ask to be given privacy in which to do so.”
The trial, set to last two weeks, continues.