Weekly Round-up: Notable Court Cases (March 2 – March 9)

Richard Jones, sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years for murdering Sophie Evans in Llanelli on 5 July 2024. Jones attacked the 28-year-old in her home after falsely claiming his son and Ms Evans had defrauded him. CCTV captured Jones fleeing the scene. The victim was later found on her kitchen floor. Two young children now left without their mother.

Kurtis Dwyer, 35, from Grangetown, was jailed for 14 months at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving. The hit-and-run collision occurred on Sloper Road, Cardiff on March 24, 2024, when his grey BMW mounted the pavement, struck a young girl, and fled. Dwyer was arrested a month later. The victim sustained minor physical injuries but significant emotional trauma.

Jason Thomas, 40, from Llanelli, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for killing his former workmate Liam Morgan-Whittle, 22. Thomas admitted to manslaughter after punching Morgan-Whittle twice in the head during an alcohol and cocaine-fuelled “punching game” at a friend’s house. The victim sustained a brain bleed which led to his death in March 2023.

Ben James, 35, from Swansea, was jailed after repeatedly punching his former partner until she bled and vomited. He attacked her at a Swansea address in May 2022 whilst intoxicated, then forced her to lie about her injuries at hospital. James, who has 17 previous convictions including eight for violence, was sentenced to three years in prison and received a 10-year restraining order.

Corey Jones, 27, from Aberavon, has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of rape, ABH, two counts of common assault and breaching a restraining order. He sexually assaulted his victim at a house in July 2024. The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court on 5 March.