Twin's pain as killer is jailed

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A 50-year-old doorman who murdered his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend after she started a relationship with a man of her own age has been jailed for life.

Philip Packer strangled Jenna Thomas, before driving her body to Porthcawl police station in south Wales.

He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court, where Ms Thomas's twin sister Nicola said in a victim impact statement "half of me died with her" .

Mr Justice Griffith Williams sentenced Packer to a minimum of 18 years' jail.

His trial had heard that the couple had met at a Porthcawl nightclub where Ms Thomas, from nearby North Cornelly, worked as a barmaid and Packer, who was married, was a doorman.

He split up with his wife and they had a two-year relationship, but he became controlling and would not accept the break-up, especially when she began a new relationship with a man of her own age.

I felt a complete sense of loss and the irony is that the one person I would want to turn to is the one person who isn't there Nicola Thomas, Jenna's twin, with their parents

In her statement, Nicola Thomas said even members of the same family could not understand how great the bond between twins could be.

"It has been seven months since my sister died and I still fell like half of me died that day too.

"People still call me by her name and I know my mum and dad find it hard when I walk through the front door.

"For a split second I know they see her," she said.

"I not only lost my sister and best friend but part of me too.

"Our whole family lost a precious girl and no words come near to explaining the impact this has had on us."

Ms Thomas said she avoided seeing other members of her family because it "would make it hard for everyone else".

"I felt a complete sense of loss and the irony is that the one person I would want to turn to is the one person who isn't there.

Philip Packer had become "obsessed" with his victim, it was claimed

"No parent ever expects their child to die before them and it makes me both angry and upset that my mum and dad have been put in this position.

"We have all come to realise this pain will never go. Despite our best efforts normality is still unachievable."

She revealed she and her parents were concerned for her safety when Packer was released.

"I would dread the day we ever encounter him again and being the identical twin of Jenna makes this feeling all the more chilling," she added.

Sentencing, Judge Mr Justice John Griffith Williams told Packer it was "inevitable" Ms Thomas's feelings would change given the difference in their ages and temperaments.

"You weren't mentally ill and you weren't clinically depressed, rather you were upset at the end of a relationship," he said.

"And in my judgement you resented the fact Jenna wanted to live a life on her own.

"Your obsessive jealousy was evident during the relationship.

"But once it was over you ignored the advice of friends and Jenna's mother to seek help.

"I have no doubt that before the murder you knew full well that Jenna was never going to return to live with you."