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Murder accused 'wonderful' - son Son of murder victim 'a rapist'
(about 2 hours later)
The son of pensioner Joyce Sutton, who was found battered to death in her home, has described the man standing trial for her murder as "wonderful". The son of pensioner Joyce Sutton, who was found battered to death in her home, is a convicted rapist with a penchant for violence, a court heard.
Giving evidence at Swansea Crown Court Darren Sutton, 44, said defendant David Henton, his mother's partner for 30 years, had been her "guiding light". Darren Sutton, 44, was initially arrested on suspicion of the murder in Skewen but was released without charge, Swansea Crown Court heard.
Mr Sutton told the jury Mr Henton, 72, of Neath and Mrs Sutton, 65, of Skewen, were a "devoted" couple. He was giving evidence about the man who was eventually charged with her murder - her partner David Henton, 72.
She was found with head injuries in her bed in 2006. Mr Henton denies murder. Mr Sutton said Mr Henton, of Neath, who denies the charge, was "wonderful".
Mr Sutton confirmed he had described the couple as being absolutely devoted to each other. Mrs Sutton, 65, a widow with one son, died after being violently battered around the head in her bed in what initially appeared to be a break-in.
The court also heard he had told police that Mr Henton had changed his mother's life for the better and was a wonderful man. The court heard Mr Henton reported finding his partner of 30 years just after 0800 GMT on 11 January, 2006.
A major police inquiry followed Mrs Sutton's murder He was arrested for her murder a year later.
Mr Henton had also chauffeured him about and lent him large sums of money, he told the jury. Mr Sutton told the court Mr Henton was "extraordinarily kind" and that the defendant and his mother had been a "devoted" couple.
He said Mr Henton would lend him money, including £1,400 for his divorce, and would drive him anywhere he wanted.
He agreed he told officers Mr Henton had nursed his mother calmly and patiently, while Mr Sutton himself had lost his patience with her.
He told police his mother previously used to scream and bang her head against the wall and was sectioned, but Mr Henton had changed her life and had been "her rock".
But under cross examination, Mr Sutton, who is currently on licence for rape, admitted he himself had a temper and had, at times, been a horrible man who could snap for no reason.But under cross examination, Mr Sutton, who is currently on licence for rape, admitted he himself had a temper and had, at times, been a horrible man who could snap for no reason.
He denied he had ever been physically violent towards his mother but admitted he had once held Mr Henton down when drunk. Questioned by Elwen Evans QC, defending Mr Henton, Mr Sutton said: "I like watching violent TV films and going on computer sites that show deaths and executions."
The court heard Mr Henton reported finding Mrs Sutton, a widow with one son, just after 0800 GMT on 11 January 2006. Mr Sutton also agreed he was very money-orientated.
Police found the back door was open and Mrs Sutton was lying bleeding in her bed. He told the court he had asked the police if he could have any money that had been left in the house and his mother's lottery ticket which was worth around £50.
The prosecution claims Mr Henton broke a window in the back door of her home to make it look like a burglary. He said he also made inquiries about any outstanding pension money of his mother's that he could have.
The jury was told earlier that police had secretly taped Mr Henton last year, who lives alone, apparently confessing to his cats. Miss Evans asked why he had told his wife to tell the police he had killed his mother.
On 24 January 2007, he was taped telling them: "So, I don't know what's going on. I don't know if they can prove it or anything. Mr Sutton replied: "I wanted it all to end, the flowers, cards, sympathy was getting too much for me."
Mr Sutton was arrested for rape in May - the same month he was also arrested in connection with his mother's death.
He told the jury at Mr Henton's trial that he pleaded guilty to rape and was jailed for three years.
Mr Sutton told the court an enhanced thinking skills programme at the prison had helped him control his temper.
The court had previously heard that police had secretly taped Mr Henton last year, who lives alone, apparently confessing to his cats, Pugsey and Twinkle.
On 24 January, 2007, he was taped telling them: "So, I don't know what's going on. I don't know if they can prove it or anything.
"What am I going to say if they find anything?""What am I going to say if they find anything?"
The prosecution claims Mr Henton murdered Mrs Sutton, then broke a window in the back door of her home to make it look like a burglary.
The trial continues.The trial continues.