Fun-loving murder victim had been strangled before by her killer fiance
A "quirky, fun-loving" Shropshire woman had already been strangled by her fiance one year before he murdered her, a court was told.
Lauren Griffiths, from Oswestry, was murdered by her husband-to-be Madog Rowlands at the home they shared in Cardiff in April 2019.
Rowlands - who waited more than 24 hours to call 999 as he wrapped his partner's body in clingfilm, ordered pizza and set up a Netflix account - was jailed for life with a minimum 18-year term on Friday.
A victim personal statement from Miss Griffiths' mother Alison Turner, which was read to Cardiff Crown Court, called her a "quirky, fun-loving character who loved to come home to visit her family and friends" and said her death had a "devastating effect" on the family.
A statement on behalf of her father Jason Griffiths, which was also read aloud, said he had started to have nightmares since her death and was diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder.
Judge Daniel Williams told the court how Miss Griffiths had been strangled one year before the fatal attack.
The 21-year-old had "a terribly tough start in life," Judge Williams said.
"Despite that she was someone who her friends described as would always have a smile on her face," he added.
"She was kind natured, she didn’t have a bad bone in her body and couldn’t do enough for others whose problems she put above hers.
“She was described as a lovely, friendly, sweet, and bubbly young woman. She is missed every day by those closest to her who have suffered an unimaginable loss."
He said to escape from the memories of her traumatic childhood, Miss Griffiths had developed a dissociative disorder which made her "terribly vulnerable".
'Self-obsessed manipulator'
Judge Williams told Rowlands: “In 2017 you moved together from Wrexham to Cardiff where you went to university and Lauren found work which she could not stay in because of her condition.
“The two of you joined an existing social circle. The accurate descriptions by your friends spoke of you as a sullen and self-obsessed manipulator."
He said Rowlands had suggested some time before March 7, 2018 that the two of them should make a suicide pact.
“I am satisfied you persuaded and pressurised Lauren into making a pact with you which would end your financial worries and would bring an end to her painful battle with mental illness, but Lauren had changed her mind," Judge Williams said.
"She saw a brighter future and told you she wanted no part in the pact which you had lured her into.
“This led to an argument on March 7, 2018 and led to you assaulting her in the flat the two of you shared.
“You grabbed Lauren around her throat and threatened to kill her. She managed to get away from you and find help.
“The police were called and you said you tried to kill Lauren by strangling her.
“Lauren forgave you. Forgiving abusive partners appears to have been in her nature and she didn’t pursue any prosecution against you.
“You soon got back together and your relationship rekindled. By April 2019 the two of you were in debt.
"Lauren was increasingly anxious, and you both fell into a low mood. Your thoughts of killing Lauren resurfaced.
“Lauren saw hope in her life and did not want it to end. I am sure you had thoughts of murdering Lauren for a long time – well over a year before you did.
"You continued to harbour those thoughts long after she dismissed them.
“In March 2018 when you strangled Lauren she got away from you but in the following April you were to give her no chance.
“The two of you went to bed in the early hours of April 29, 2019.
“A neighbour described Lauren as more subdued than usual when she had a cigarette before going to bed, but there was nothing to suggest any argument or falling out.
“I reject entirely your account as to how Lauren died.
"I'm sure you decided then to carry out your long-held if intermittent desire to kill Lauren."
Killer ordered pizza and set up Netflix account
He said following Rowlands' arrest, he had searched online 'how to show remorse' and his attempts to show remorse when he gave evidence were "feeble".
Following his sentencing, Detective Inspector Stuart Wales, from South Wales Police major crime investigation team, said: “Lauren was a much-loved daughter and sister who had a bright and promising future.
“Her family have shown tremendous patience and dignity during this long and heart-breaking ordeal.
“We hope they can now begin to recover and rebuild their lives.
“Having murdered Lauren during the early hours of Monday, April 29 Madog Rowlands then waited more than 24 hours before calling 999.
“In this time, Rowlands took money from Lauren’s account, went shopping, bought and consumed a large quantity of drugs, ordered pizza, and set up a Netflix account, before eventually – perhaps realising the inevitability of the situation – calling 999.
“At no time, did he show any meaningful concern for Lauren’s welfare or dignity.
“We would like to thank all the witnesses who assisted the investigation, the community of Cathays, as well as the prosecution team.”
