Swansea: Husband jailed for murdering wife in car fire

David Clarke was jailed for the "utterly brutal" murder of his wife of more than 50 years

An 80-year-old Swansea man killed his wife in a "uniquely savage" car fire after he admitted an affair with another woman.

David Clarke repeatedly hit Helen Clarke's head with a hammer, doused her with petrol before setting her alight.

Clarke, of Higher Lane, Langland, previously admitted murdering his wife, 77, who died two days after the attack.

At Swansea Crown Court he was jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 21 years and eight months.

Judge Paul Thomas KC described it as a "uniquely savage murder".

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He said Clarke murdered his wife of more than 50 years "in an utterly brutal and merciless manner" which he "knew would cause unimaginable pain and terror".

Mike Jones KC, prosecuting, told the court the couple previously lived a "comfortable life" in Zambia, then Zimbabwe, before moving to Swansea in 2018.

He said there were "difficulties in their relationship". Clarke would bully his wife and was "physical towards her", but "despite this they really did love each other".

The court heard how Clarke had an affair while living in Zambia with a woman referred to as L.

Mrs Clarke was unaware of the affair until the month before the murder, when the couple visited Australia where L lived, Mr Jones said.

Helen Clarke was found with significant burns and a head injury and died in hospital two days after the fire

Clarke wanted to visit L, but told his wife the purpose of the trip was to see old friends.

Clarke and his wife met L while in Australia, but Mrs Clarke was unaware of who she was until they were in the airport on the way home, when Clarke admitted to the affair.

Mr Jones said Mrs Clarke accused her husband of "engineering the trip" to see L, which he denied.

There were then "clear arguments" between the couple and the last message their son, David Clarke Jr, received from his mother said she planned to move in with him and his family.

On the morning of September 22, the defendant texted his son saying "I love you".

Emergency services were called to Sketty Lane, Swansea, near Singleton Hospital, on 22 September 2023.

"You killed her in a car on a busy road in Swansea when children were on the way to school," said Judge Thomas.

"When passers-by wanted to help her, you drove off, deliberately preventing them from trying to save her."

Mrs Clarke's family described her as a "loving, kind and courageous" mother and grandmother who had "a great appreciation for life and the beauty of the world".

Police officers were called to the grounds of Singleton Hospital in Swansea on 22 September

A school pupil said they saw the couple's vehicle on Sketty Lane with Mrs Clarke in the passenger seat and wooden chairs in the back.

Mr Jones said the witness "heard a scream" from the car and later saw smoke coming from the area.

A council worker, Liam Davie, tried to help her, but Clarke pushed him away and told him to stop. Clarke then drove the burning car into oncoming traffic and swerved into a hedge.

Mr Jones said the emergency services arrived and saw Mrs Clarke lying on the floor "screaming for help".

She told a paramedic: "My husband has done this.... he is responsible for all of this."

Another witness said Mrs Clarke was asking if she was safe, and said: "We were just going to the beach."

Mrs Clarke was taken to Morriston Hospital where she was treated for burns across 58% of her body and "extensive injuries" to the side of her head.

She died of her injuries on 24 September and a post-mortem examination revealed she had nine separate wounds to her head and severe burns across her legs, torso and arms.

In a statement read in court, David Clarke Jr said the family would never come to terms with the "incomprehensible" murder.

David Clarke, 80, was married to his wife for more than 50 years before he murdered her in a car fire after telling her of his affair

"Not only is our mum not with us, playing games and sitting on the beach, but we have lost our dad too. We miss them both enormously," he said.

The family called the past few months "extremely distressing", and thanked the local community for its support and all those involved in the investigation process.

"We have endured unimaginable pain since she was brutally taken from us," they said.

"The system is however far from perfect, and we will continue to advocate for victim's rights and legislative change."

Following the hearing, Rebecca Carter, of the Crown Prosecution Service Cymru Wales, said: "This has been a tragic case.

"Our thoughts and sympathies go to Helen's family at this difficult time."

Det Ch Insp Paul Raikes of South Wales Police said: "This has been a challenging investigation due to its nature and circumstances.

"To this end, I would like to place on record our condolences to the family of Helen Clarke, and thank them for their cooperation and understanding during extremely difficult times for them."