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Man found guilty of strangling partner to death in Cathays flat

Madog Rowlands tried to claim he acted in self defence


A man has been found guilty of murdering his fiancée at their home in Cardiff. The court heard that university student, Madog Rowlands, strangled 21-year-old Lauren Griffiths before wrapping her body in bin bags and cling film, according to WalesOnline. The tragedy unfolded at Glynrhondda Street in Cathays, Cardiff, on April 29th, 2019.

After the murder, Rowlands is said to have gone out to purchase MDMA and cannabis, as well as a sandwich from Subway, before returning to Lauren’s body in their home.

He waited 24 hours before calling 999, and then attempted to deceive the operators into believing that the incident had just occurred.

Despite his claims that he loved her, detectives uncovered the fact that it was not the first time Rowlands had strangled his partner. Officers also found that while on bail, he had Googled “how to show remorse” and “credit for guilty plea”.

Rowlands claimed that he did not intend to kill Miss Griffiths and was acting in self-defence after she suffered a mental health episode that lead to her grabbing him by the throat.  But just over two hours after beginning their deliberations, jurors at Newport Crown Court found Rowlands guilty of murder.

Prosecuting counsel Michael Jones QC addressed the defendant directly during the trial: “The truth is you’re a self absorbed, manipulative person and what you did that day was to kill her and sought to blame her own vulnerabilities for her death, that’s the truth of this.”

Rowlands reportedly showed no remorse for what he had done. After being taken to Llandough Hospital following the murder, a psychiatrist noted Rowlands “showed no physical signs of being upset and was not tearful”.

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 heartbreaking ordeal.”

Rowlands will be sentenced next month.

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