Man, 34, guilty of murdering a grandmother at her home

A convicted drug dealer who dragged a 69-year-old grandmother from her bed and stamped on her at least 15 times, breaking every bone in her face, has been found guilty of murder.

Dean Mears, 34, from Kinmel Bay, Conwy county, admitted the manslaughter of Catherine Flynn on 24 October 2024, but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard that he could not remember carrying out the fatal assault, but it was captured on the house's Ring doorbell.

The jury returned a guilty verdict on Thursday afternoon. A judge described the attack as "senseless", resulting in "catastrophic injuries".

During the trial, which lasted nine days, the court heard how Mrs Flynn, who lived alone in the property on Cefndy Road, was dragged from her bed in the attack.

She was taken to hospital after suffering extensive facial trauma and multiple fractures, where she died the following day.

Prosecutor Andrew Jones said she had suffered serious health and mobility issues, and used a stairlift and a Zimmer frame inside her house.

She was just 4ft 10in (1.47m) and weighed less than eight stone (50kg).

The jury was told that Mears left a nearby house after taking the drugs ketamine and cannabis.

He walked to Mrs Flynn home and smashed a window to get in.

Mr Jones said the victim's daughter, Natasha Flynn, received an electronic notification from the house's Ring doorbell camera at 22:27 GMT.

The footage showed Mears remained inside the house for under two minutes before jumping out of the window.

Mears could be heard shouting "Where are the keys?" at Mrs Flynn, while she begged him not to hurt her.

The prosecutor said she suffered "severe injuries" to her face and brain that left her with "no chance" of survival.

Mears returned to his friend's home, and stripped off his trousers and underwear, before being seen on CCTV walking semi-naked in the town.

Other witnesses told the court how they then found Mears in their homes, naked from the waist down and covered in blood.

In one confrontation, Mears lunged at a man and took a mobile phone from him after a "tug of war".

Pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers told the jury Mrs Flynn died from catastrophic facial injuries.

"These are the types of injuries you see in high-speed road traffic collisions," he said.

"There can really be only one explanation and that is multiple stamps."

Mears admitted he had carried out the attack, but said he had no recollection of what happened.

"I can't give any explanation to this terrible thing I have done. I accept I've done what I have done but I had no intention to hurt anybody," he told the jury.

His defence team argued Mears had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after being stabbed twice following a prison sentence for drug dealing.

A psychiatrist, giving evidence for the defence, said the PSTD and other mental health issues, could explain his actions.

However, another expert insisted Mears was not suffering from mental health conditions that could have led to the attack.

The guilty verdict for murder was met with cheers in the public gallery from members of Mrs Flynn's family, who had sat through the entire trial.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Mears his crime was "truly horrific" and "senseless".

Mears was remanded in custody to await sentencing in June, but was told he could expect a mandatory life sentence for the murder.

Speaking outside the court following the verdict, Supt Lee Boycott, senior investigating officer, said Mrs Flynn was "viciously and brutally" attacked.

"I think it's fair to say [Mears] has never shown one ounce of remorse, regret or contrition for what's taken place."

He said the family had sat through "harrowing evidence" and commended them for "remaining dignified".