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Son of murder victim is a rapist | |
(9 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. |
Darren Sutton, 44, was initially arrested on suspicion of the murder in Skewen but was released without charge, Swansea Crown Court heard. | Darren Sutton, 44, was initially arrested on suspicion of the murder in Skewen but was released without charge, Swansea Crown Court heard. |
He was giving evidence about the man who was eventually charged with her murder - her partner David Henton, 72. | He was giving evidence about the man who was eventually charged with her murder - her partner David Henton, 72. |
Mr Sutton said Mr Henton, of Neath, who denies the charge, was "wonderful". | Mr Sutton said Mr Henton, of Neath, who denies the charge, was "wonderful". |
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. | 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 heard Mr Henton reported finding his partner of 30 years just after 0800 GMT on 11 January, 2006. | The court heard Mr Henton reported finding his partner of 30 years just after 0800 GMT on 11 January, 2006. |
He was arrested for her murder a year later. | He was arrested for her murder a year later. |
Mr Sutton told the court Mr Henton was "extraordinarily kind" and that the defendant and his mother had been a "devoted" couple. | 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 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 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". | 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 released on licence from prison for rape, admitted he himself had a temper and had, at times, been a horrible man who could snap for no reason. | |
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." | 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." |
Mr Sutton also agreed he was very money-orientated. | Mr Sutton also agreed he was very money-orientated. |
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. | 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. |
He said he also made inquiries about any outstanding pension money of his mother's that he could have. | He said he also made inquiries about any outstanding pension money of his mother's that he could have. |
Miss Evans asked why he had told his wife to tell the police he had killed his mother. | Miss Evans asked why he had told his wife to tell the police he had killed his mother. |
Mr Sutton replied: "I wanted it all to end, the flowers, cards, sympathy was getting too much for me." | 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 2006 - 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. | 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. | 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. | |
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 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. |