Man, 50, 'killed ex-partner, 21'

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A married nightclub doorman strangled his girlfriend, who was 28 years younger than him, after she ended their affair, Cardiff Crown Court has heard.

The body of Jenna Thomas, 21, was found in Philip Packer's car after he drove to Porthcawl police station.

The father-of-two told officers: "I've parked my car outside and there is a body in it," the court heard.

The prosecution claims he killed her in June 2009 after learning she had met a man. Mr Packer, 50, denies her murder.

The murder trial was told Ms Thomas was a student nurse when she suddenly quit her course to work as a barmaid in a club in the seaside town of Porthcawl, where the defendant was a doorman.

Peter Griffiths QC, prosecuting, said Ms Thomas was an "attractive, intelligent, confident, fun-loving girl" who left school with 11 GCSEs.

He would not accept the finality of the break-up - he would not let her go Peter Griffiths QC, prosecuting

He said: "At the nightclub they got to know each other and, to many people's surprise because of the 28-year age difference, they began a relationship - they became an item.

"Jenna was then 19 and Packer was 47. Not surprisingly, her parents disapproved of their relationship.

"Packer's marriage broke up and Jenna and he then began living together in a flat on the seafront esplanade.

Mr Griffiths said there was a "gradual deterioration" in the couple's relationship during 2008 with Mr Packer becoming "more controlling".

Mr Griffiths said: "She moved back into her family home in May 2009 but, in Packer's mind, he refused to move on. "

Philip Packer left his wife to live with Jenna Thomas once their affair began

He said: "He would not accept the finality of the break-up. He would not let her go.

"Packer was extremely jealous of any hint of a new man in her life."

The court heard that Ms Thomas met a new man, Ian Walters, who was the same age as her, and Mr Packer confronted her about it.

Mr Griffiths said: "Packer deliberately strangled Jenna because of her refusal to restart their relationship and because she wanted to get on with her new life and her new relationship."

'Arguing all day'

The court heard that the defendant strangled Ms Thomas in his Volkswagen Bora car after "arguing all day" with her.

He then drove to the police station, the trial was told.

Mr Griffiths said: "Officers went out of their station and saw the body of a young woman in the front seat with a blue sheet over it.

"Back inside the police station, Packer said 'we have argued and argued all day and I strangled her'."

The trial was told he demonstrated with his hands what had happened but said he did not mean to kill her.

Mr Packer, of Porthcawl, denies the murder of Ms Thomas, who lived with her family in the nearby village of North Cornelly.

The trial continues.