Murder accused doorman's despair

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A doorman accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend and driving her body to a police station, was "heartbroken" when she left him, a court has heard.

Philip Packer, 50, of Porthcawl, denies murdering Jenna Thomas, 21.

Cardiff Crown Court heard he drove her body to Porthcawl police station and told officers he had strangled her.

Miss Thomas's best friend Beth Evans said nightclub worker Mr Packer was devastated the relationship had ended. The case continues.

In a statement read out in court, Miss Evans said that Miss Thomas was "beautiful and intelligent" but could also be "headstrong and a bit dizzy".

She said when she met married father-of-two Mr Packer, Miss Thomas thought he was in his 30s, but in fact when their relationship began he was 47 and she was 19.

Miss Evans said that in the beginning they were happy together but then the fizz went out of their relationship.

Mr Packer would fall asleep when he came home after a shift and Miss Thomas would complain that she could not see any male friends because of his jealousy, the court heard.

After Miss Thomas left him in May last year she said Mr Packer was "heartbroken".

Jenna Thomas was described as "beautiful and intelligent" in court

He had left his wife and two children to be with her.

His daughter, who was older than Miss Thomas, refused to have anything to do with him and he felt he had lost everything.

Miss Evans said she had advised her friend to make a clean break but Miss Thomas still had feelings for him.

Earlier, Miss Thomas's mother, Kay, who is only a year older than Mr Packer, said she had been appalled when she discovered her daughter was seeing him.

But she said she could not persuade her to end the relationship.

When it did finish she said she was aware that Mr Packer was calling her daughter, had once followed her home from a club in Bridgend and was outside the house on the night before she died.

She said at one stage she told him: "Stop stalking my daughter" and she thought he was heading for a breakdown.

The court heard Miss Thomas's father, David, also confronted Mr Packer and threatened to call the police.

'Frightened'

The jury also heard from Miss Thomas's new boyfriend, Ian Walters.

He said he had been frightened after seeing Mr Packer in the street and had told Miss Thomas they should "cool it for a bit" because things were getting out of hand.

She told him: "I hope this isn't the last time I see you."

But the prosecution said it was - she was strangled the next day.

Prosecutor Peter Griffiths QC told the jury that the defence would argue that Mr Packer was not responsible for his actions.

Mr Packer has two nurses with him in the dock because of concern about his condition.

But Mr Griffiths said the prosecution contended that he was responsible for what he had done.

"No doubt he bitterly regretted it afterwards, but that is no excuse," he said.

The trial will continue on Monday.