Park death 'may be manslaughter'

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A defence lawyer for a man accused of murder has told a jury how he would present the case for manslaughter if his client is found guilty.

At Cardiff Crown Court Wayne Royston, 35, from Bargoed, denies stabbing Dean Shorney, 21, to death in a park.

David Aubrey QC told jurors that if he was convicted they would hear how his mental state may have "substantially diminished his responsibility".

The court also heard from Mr Shorney's father, who described finding his son.

Mr Shorney, described as having the "mind of a child", was found dead on 18 April in a park in the town with 38 stab wounds.

Peter Murphy QC, prosecuting, has said Mr Royston had regular thoughts of murdering someone.

The court also heard he had run out of anti-depressant medication the day before the killing.

I just stroked my hand over his face and called his name Dean Shorney's father, Robert

Mr Shorney's body was found late on 18 April in Bargoed Park.

The jury heard from Mr Shorney's father, Robert Shorney, who had driven around the town looking for his son after he did not return home.

Mr Shorney said he was approached by his son's friend, Carl Fortune, who had found the body in the park.

Mr Shorney said: "I began running through the park - as I ran I could see what I knew was Dean.

"I could see straight away he wasn't moving at all.

"I could see he had a serious cut to his neck - I knew he was dead.

"I just stroked my hand over his face and called his name."

'Mental illness'

Mr Aubrey, defending Mr Royston, told the court a case for manslaughter would be made if his client was found guilty.

He said: "The defendant denies he killed Dean Shorney and it is his case that some other person did it, although naturally he is in no position to say who that was.

"If, however, you reject that case when you've heard all the evidence, and if the prosecution proves so you are sure the defendant did kill Dean Shorney, we will be exploring with the psychiatrists the defendant's mental state, the question of his mental illness, an abnormality of mind.

"{We will consider} whether that abnormality of mind substantially diminished his responsibility for the killing so that he would not be guilty of murder but manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility."

Mr Royston denies murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice and the trial continues.

His wife, Emma Royston, has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.