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Jailed for strangling girlfriend | Jailed for strangling girlfriend |
(9 minutes later) | |
A car worker who strangled his 21-year-old girlfriend on a mountain road after a "blazing row" has been found guilty of murder. | 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, will serve at least 13 years after being convicted of killing Jenna Watkins. | |
He had denied murder on the Bwlch road between Baglan and Neath in April. | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | "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 | 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." | "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. | 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. | "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." | "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." | 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." |