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Jailed for strangling girlfriend Jailed for strangling girlfriend
(about 1 hour later)
A car worker will serve at least 13 years in jail after a murder trial jury found him guilty of strangling her. A car worker who strangled his 21-year-old girlfriend on a mountain road after a "blazing row" has been found guilty of murder.
Jason Shaddick, 28, from Neath, killed Jenna Watkins, 21, on the Bwlch mountain road between Baglan and Neath in April. Jason Shaddick, 28, from Neath, will serve at least 13 years in jail after being convicted by a jury.
He had denied murder but was convicted by a jury at Swansea Crown Court on a majority verdict. Shaddick had denied murder on the Bwlch road between Baglan and Neath in April.
Sentencing him to life in prison, Judge Mr Justice Pitchford said Shaddick would serve a minimum of 13 years. Sentencing him to life, the judge said he would not be released until the authorities were satisfied he was no longer a danger to the public.
The jury returned a majority verdict of 11 to one after more than five hours of deliberation.
Shaddick strangled Ms Watkins, with whom he shared a flat, on the lonely mountain road early on 7 April.
Mr Justice Pitchford said he accepted there must have been a "blazing row" between the couple and that something triggered the violence.
But he said he refused to overlook injuries to her face and although her death had not been planned, Shaddick must have intended to cause her serious harm.
Jason Shaddick left the scene after strangling Jenna Watkins
After strangling her, Shaddick left her body face down on the road and walked away from the scene.
His two brothers found her body and at first thought she must have died in a road accident because the car was damaged.
The court heard how Shaddick had placed young women in a stranglehold three times before, including Ms Watkins.
At the time of her death, Shaddick was under a suspended prison sentence for assaulting a police officer.
After the verdict, Ms Watkins' family issued a statement describing her as "a happy, beautiful, fun loving, caring daughter".
"No Christmas or birthday will ever be the same again. She is our last thought at night and our first thought in the morning.
The couple argued on a lonely mountain road, the court heard
"We cry ourselves to sleep each night and only have photographs of her to look at. She will be forever in our hearts."
They said they hoped Shaddick - who they called "a Jekyll and Hyde character" - would remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
"We are glad he is not free to kill or harm any other young beautiful women," they said.
"At least the Shaddick family can visit their son, who is still breathing. All we can do is visit a graveyard to pay our respects."
Senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp Stuart McKenzie said: "This tragic incident brought shock and sadness to the community and we are glad that today's verdict will help the family move forward as they continue to grieve for Jenna."