This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45522338
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Fiona Scourfield death: Boy killed stepmum with samurai sword | Fiona Scourfield death: Boy killed stepmum with samurai sword |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison after murdering his stepmother with an axe and samurai sword. | A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison after murdering his stepmother with an axe and samurai sword. |
| Rueben Brathwaite pleaded guilty to murdering Fiona Scourfield, 54, at Broadmoor Farm in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, in March. | Rueben Brathwaite pleaded guilty to murdering Fiona Scourfield, 54, at Broadmoor Farm in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, in March. |
| Brathwaite was sentenced to life in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday by Judge Simon Picken. | Brathwaite was sentenced to life in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday by Judge Simon Picken. |
| The judge said it was a "savage attack against a defenceless woman". | The judge said it was a "savage attack against a defenceless woman". |
| The court heard Brathwaite arrived home from a "normal school day". | The court heard Brathwaite arrived home from a "normal school day". |
| About two hours later he lured Ms Scourfield outside of the house and repeatedly struck her over the head with an axe. | About two hours later he lured Ms Scourfield outside of the house and repeatedly struck her over the head with an axe. |
| He then cut her throat with a samurai sword which he had taken from underneath his father's bed. | He then cut her throat with a samurai sword which he had taken from underneath his father's bed. |
| Following the attack the court heard the teenager called the police confessing to the murder. | Following the attack the court heard the teenager called the police confessing to the murder. |
| Prosecutor John Hipkin said when officers asked why he had murdered Ms Scourfield, he said he was "fed up of life" and saw killing his stepmother as a "way out". | Prosecutor John Hipkin said when officers asked why he had murdered Ms Scourfield, he said he was "fed up of life" and saw killing his stepmother as a "way out". |
| Brathwaite considered attacking his father but thought he would be "too powerful" and would fight back. | Brathwaite considered attacking his father but thought he would be "too powerful" and would fight back. |
| The court heard that after the attack Brathwaite took two photos of the victim's body which he tried to upload to a US-based website, but failed. | The court heard that after the attack Brathwaite took two photos of the victim's body which he tried to upload to a US-based website, but failed. |
| In the lead up to the murder, he also took an interest in viewing images of extreme violence and murder online. | In the lead up to the murder, he also took an interest in viewing images of extreme violence and murder online. |
| Paul Hobson for the defence said his client had "committed a dreadful crime" and that Ms Scourfield's death was "brutal and served no purpose". | Paul Hobson for the defence said his client had "committed a dreadful crime" and that Ms Scourfield's death was "brutal and served no purpose". |
| Brathwaite also told the court: "I believe without the right level of help I believe I will remain a danger to myself." | Brathwaite also told the court: "I believe without the right level of help I believe I will remain a danger to myself." |
| Mr Justice Picken told the defendant he would have had to serve a minimum of 25 years if he had been over 18 at the time of the murder. | Mr Justice Picken told the defendant he would have had to serve a minimum of 25 years if he had been over 18 at the time of the murder. |
| In a letter to the court, Brathwaite said his stepmother was a "great believer in me" and wanted him to go to university, adding she had "so much love for me". | In a letter to the court, Brathwaite said his stepmother was a "great believer in me" and wanted him to go to university, adding she had "so much love for me". |
| Ms Scourfield was previously described as "loving and caring" by family and volunteered with the German Shepherd Rescue UK charity. | Ms Scourfield was previously described as "loving and caring" by family and volunteered with the German Shepherd Rescue UK charity. |
| A victim impact statement read on behalf of Fiona Scourfield's mother, Charlotte Scourfield, said: "Fiona was the apple of my eye. She never said anything bad about anybody, preferring to see the good in everyone. | |
| "Fiona made Rueben warmly welcome and made sure he was properly dressed and equipped for school. | "Fiona made Rueben warmly welcome and made sure he was properly dressed and equipped for school. |
| "I believe there was a loving bond between them. My life is destroyed." | "I believe there was a loving bond between them. My life is destroyed." |
| After the hearing, Det Supt Gary Phillips from Dyfed-Powys Police said Ms Scourfield "lost her life in a savage and unprovoked attack". | |
| He said the sentence "reflects the brutality of her murder and is a sentence which I hope will help to provide some closure for her family". | |
| "Our thoughts are very much with Fiona's family and friends at what is a very difficult time for them," he added. |