Georgina Dowey: Victim found with bag on head - murder trial

Georgina Dowey's body was found on Beaconsfield Street in Cadoxton

A woman discovered beaten and strangled to death with a bag over her head was left in a bathroom for almost 24 hours, a court has heard.

Georgina Dowey was found in the house of Mathew Pickering on 7 May 2023.

Mr Pickering, 49, of Beaconsfield Street, Cadoxton, Neath Port Talbot, has admitted manslaughter but denies murdering 46-year-old Ms Dowey.

After the killing, the jury was told Mr Pickering went shopping for Cherry Coke, cat treats, Rizla and bleach.

His defence statement said the bleach was to clean the blood-stained floor.

Swansea Crown Court heard Mr Pickering and Ms Dowey were in an on-off relationship and both had alcohol and drug problems.

• Man admits killing woman, but denies murder

Prosecutor Michael Jones, KC, told the jury that Ms Dowey had, in previous relationships, been a victim of domestic violence.

Her lifestyle was sometimes chaotic, he said, which made her "even more vulnerable".

The jury was shown CCTV from a nearby shop which showed Mr Pickering leaving his house to buy bleach after Ms Dowey's death.

Mr Pickering claims they had an altercation ended with Ms Dowey strangled on the downstairs bathroom floor.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Dowey found a day later with a black bag over her head and 32 separate injuries, including bruising and swelling to her face.

Police bodycam footage showed Mr Pickering crying as he was arrested, saying: "I'm not a violent person, I was defending myself."

The footage also showed the accused telling police Ms Dowey was "nothing but trouble".

The jury was told that Mr Pickering sent Ms Dowey a text at 15:38 on 6 May, asking: "Did you make it to Merthyr OK?"

It is believed Ms Dowey was already dead by this point.

Mr Pickering's father rang the police at 15:26 on 7 May, concerned for his son's mental health, but not knowing what had happened.

The jury heard Michael Pickering say on the 999 call: "Something serious has happened in the house… A serious assault, it could be more than an assault."

"My son is on the verge of having a nervous breakdown… He's in the middle of a breakdown so it's hard to get information."

The trial continues.