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Murder mystery as landlord jailed Murder mystery as landlord jailed
(about 1 hour later)
A "cowardly" landlord who murdered a new lodger, stabbing him 10 times and hitting him with a pool cue, has been jailed for life. A "cowardly" landlord who murdered a new lodger, stabbing him 10 times with a carving knife and hitting him with a pool cue, has been jailed for life.
But John Williams, 45, has refused to say why he killed John Stokes, 33, Cardiff Crown Court heard. But John Williams, 46, has refused to say why he killed John Stokes, 33, Cardiff Crown Court heard.
Williams flew into a rage with father-to-be Mr Stokes at their home in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, Caerphilly, two weeks after the lodger moved in. Williams flew into a rage with father-to-be Mr Stokes at their home in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, Caerphilly, just six days after he moved in.
The judge ordered Williams, who pleaded guilty, to serve at least 16 years.The judge ordered Williams, who pleaded guilty, to serve at least 16 years.
The court heard that Mr Stokes suffered at least ten knife wounds in the attack in February. The court heard that Mr Stokes suffered at least ten knife wounds and he was left unrecognisable in the attack on 3 February.
Judge Mr Justice Butterfield told Williams: "You are a very dangerous man. This was a prolonged, savage and brutal attack of a relentless nature. The level of violence used is beyond the comprehension of his family Supt Harry Gamlin Most of the major bones in his face were shattered, said prosecutor Greg Taylor.
You are, at the moment, a very dangerous man Judge Mr Justice Butterfield
He was stabbed twice with a carving knife and beaten with a police cue.
Interviewed by police, Williams, a warehouse operator, said he could not remember why they had argued, but that it may have been over food.
Mr Taylor said: "It may be that the defendant offered Mr Stokes some food and he said: 'Why would I want that?'
"It may have been enough for this defendant to cause him to react as he did."
Mr Taylor said after the attack Williams went to visit friends nearby and told them: "I was cooking tea, and that boy came back. He was ranting and raving."
'Fighting for his life'
Williams alleged that Mr Stokes had gone towards him, and the pair had a fight, during which his own fingers were bitten.
Police were called at 0900 BST that morning by Williams, who told them: "I've killed my friend".
Williams used a serrated knife to stab Mr Stokes, choosing the largest in the block, Mr Taylor said.
Mr Stokes tried to defend himself, but Mr Taylor added; "From the moment the defendant pulled out the carving knife, Mr Stokes would have been fighting for his life."
The court heard the attack started downstairs, and that when Mr Stokes escaped upstairs, he was attacked with his own pool cue.
Heated argument
Defending, David Aubrey QC said his client had a record for violence when he had been drinking, as he had been that night.
He said: "This was not a situation where he was seeking a victim, but was simply at home preparing a meal, and for whatever reason, there was an argument which became a heated argument between him and Mr Stokes which led to violence."
In a statement read in court, Mr Stokes' sister Sharon, 35, said she had introduced her brother to Mr Stokes and had told him "they would have a laugh together".
"I have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life," she said.
"The hardest of all is knowing the terror John suffered at the time of his murder, that the last thing he saw was the evil on Williams' face, beating him until he was unrecognisable.
Mr Stokes leaves four children: John, 12, Shannon, 11, Reuben, 18 months, and five-month-old Chelsea.
The court heard that Mr Stokes' girlfriend Sandra had to have their baby without the father and she named the baby Chelsea after her boyfriend's favourite football team.
His family applauded as Williams was led from the dock.
Judge Mr Justice Butterfield told Williams: "You are, at the moment, a very dangerous man. This was a prolonged, savage and brutal attack of a relentless nature.
"I do not accept there was any provocation."I do not accept there was any provocation.
"You lost your temper with your victim, as you have so often done in the past.""You lost your temper with your victim, as you have so often done in the past."
The court heard that Mr Stokes' girlfriend Sandra had to have their baby without the father and she named the baby Chelsea after her boyfriend's favourite football team.
Supt Harry Gamlin said: "John Williams was an extremely violent man and he took the life of John Stokes in a sustained attack for reasons that are known only to him.
"The level of violence used is beyond the comprehension of his family.
"Williams is a coward who inflicted injuries upon John Stokes when he was not in a position to protect himself.
"Williams has pleaded guilty but this is of little comfort to those who knew John Stokes who must live their lives without his love and company.
"Mr Stokes was a much loved partner, father, son and brother."