A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for murdering his son's girlfriend.
Richard Jones killed Sophie Evans, 30, in her home in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, last July. He attacked and strangled Evans after wrongly believing she was trying to scam him financially.
Jones was convicted of murder at Swansea Crown Court on Monday.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Evans had just showered and was wearing only a towel when Jones arrived at her home on July 5, 2024.
After beating and strangling her, Jones left Evans naked on her kitchen floor. He then calmly went about his day, ordering a new debit card at the bank and buying a custard slice and sandwich from a bakery.
Jones later contacted his ex-partner, telling her he had "sorted" the problem with Evans and had "erased" it.
Jones believed he had been duped into signing a tenancy agreement for Evans's home and was concerned about a housing benefit claim she had made.
After the murder, Jones told police he was being taken advantage of financially and had "lost his temper".
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In psychiatric interviews, he claimed he believed he had been "tricked" out of the deeds for his mother's house.
Jamie Davies, the victim's boyfriend and Jones's son, said: "Sophie was the most beautiful and caring person I could ever have asked for. What Richard has done is truly unforgivable. He has ruined my future and taken away my future wife."
Evans's sister Carrie Quinlan ALSO said: "Our lives have been completely destroyed by this senseless and cruel act. This man took advantage of a young, vulnerable woman in the most disgraceful way."
Jones had admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility but denied murder. However, the jury later delivered a guilty murder verdict.
Michael Jones KC, prosecuting, told the court: "Whatever happened in that house when he visited her that morning, cannot be told to us by Sophie Evans."
"What we do know is that this defendant physically and repeatedly attacked Sophie before strangling her to death."
Judge Geraint Walters imposed a life sentence, saying Jones had gone to Evans's home and killed her after losing his temper.
"There is no doubt at all about it, that having lost your temper, that you subjected her to gross violence over a period of time before you ultimately extinguished her life by strangulation," he said.
The judge noted that Jones then "calmly left, seemingly at that point with no concern in the world."
Abul Hussain of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The evidence presented to the jury demonstrated that Richard Jones bore full responsibility for his callous actions."
"Our thoughts remain with Sophie's family and friends over their tragic loss."
David Elias KC, defending, offered no personal mitigation for Jones.
He told the court: "Now the court has heard those two victim personal statements, Mr Jones has heard them too. He knows the horrific thing that he has done."
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Richard Jones killed Sophie Evans, 30, in her home in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, last July. He attacked and strangled Evans after wrongly believing she was trying to scam him financially.
Jones was convicted of murder at Swansea Crown Court on Monday.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Evans had just showered and was wearing only a towel when Jones arrived at her home on July 5, 2024.
After beating and strangling her, Jones left Evans naked on her kitchen floor. He then calmly went about his day, ordering a new debit card at the bank and buying a custard slice and sandwich from a bakery.
Jones later contacted his ex-partner, telling her he had "sorted" the problem with Evans and had "erased" it.
Jones believed he had been duped into signing a tenancy agreement for Evans's home and was concerned about a housing benefit claim she had made.
After the murder, Jones told police he was being taken advantage of financially and had "lost his temper".
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In psychiatric interviews, he claimed he believed he had been "tricked" out of the deeds for his mother's house.
Jamie Davies, the victim's boyfriend and Jones's son, said: "Sophie was the most beautiful and caring person I could ever have asked for. What Richard has done is truly unforgivable. He has ruined my future and taken away my future wife."
Evans's sister Carrie Quinlan ALSO said: "Our lives have been completely destroyed by this senseless and cruel act. This man took advantage of a young, vulnerable woman in the most disgraceful way."
Jones had admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility but denied murder. However, the jury later delivered a guilty murder verdict.
Michael Jones KC, prosecuting, told the court: "Whatever happened in that house when he visited her that morning, cannot be told to us by Sophie Evans."
"What we do know is that this defendant physically and repeatedly attacked Sophie before strangling her to death."
Judge Geraint Walters imposed a life sentence, saying Jones had gone to Evans's home and killed her after losing his temper.
"There is no doubt at all about it, that having lost your temper, that you subjected her to gross violence over a period of time before you ultimately extinguished her life by strangulation," he said.
The judge noted that Jones then "calmly left, seemingly at that point with no concern in the world."
Abul Hussain of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The evidence presented to the jury demonstrated that Richard Jones bore full responsibility for his callous actions."
"Our thoughts remain with Sophie's family and friends over their tragic loss."
David Elias KC, defending, offered no personal mitigation for Jones.
He told the court: "Now the court has heard those two victim personal statements, Mr Jones has heard them too. He knows the horrific thing that he has done."
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