Live updates as Dean Mears sentenced over 'abhorrent' murder of 'wonderful nan' in her own home
An "abhorrent" murderer who stamped a woman to death in her own home will be sentenced today. Dean Mears smashed his way into the home of "wonderful nan" Catherine Flynn as she slept, before launching a "brutal" attack on her last October.
Mears had admitted killing Mrs Flynn, but denied murder. He said he was unable to offer an explanation for his actions during the trial, and a jury later found him guilty.
Mrs Flynn, 69, of Cefndy Road, Rhyl, was left with catastrophic injuries and died in hospital the next day. Audio footage of the murder was captured on Mrs Flynn's doorbell camera.
Her daughter Natasha got an alert from the camera at 10.27pm on October 24. and she could only watch in horror as the noise of glass shattering - which was the defendant breaking into the house - was heard.
Mears, 34, of Bodelwyddan Avenue, Kinmel Bay, is then heard saying: "Where are the keys?" The footage captured the sound of "approximately 15 thuds" as Mears launched his vicious attack.
Following Mrs Flynn's death, her family said she was a "wonderful mum, nan, great nan, auntie, and sister, and also a second mother to many and a great friend"
Senior Investigating Officer Superintendent Lee Boycott previously said: 'On 24th October 2024, Dean Mears broke into Cathy Flynn's home whilst she was sleeping and ferociously and repeatedly stamped on her in a brutal and violent unprovoked attack.
'The injuries Cathy sustained were not survivable and she tragically died the following day in hospital. His abhorrent actions that night was witnessed by Cathy's daughter on her doorbell footage, which will undoubtedly stay with her and her family forever.
"Despite Mears showing no remorse for his actions, Cathy's family have remained dignified and respectful throughout the judicial process. I commend them for their courage and my thoughts remain with them today. I welcome today's verdict and thank the jury, and the investigation team, for their diligent work in securing justice for Cathy's family."
In a court hearing last month, it was heard that police will attend the sentencing hearing, amid fears for potential "trouble".
Mears' defence barrister expressed concerns that the wider public had been invited in a Facebook post to watch the hearing from the public gallery and "the more the merrier". Simon Killeen, defending, warned that "heat could rise" during the hearing.
But the prosecution told the judge at a hearing that police officers would attend.
We will bring you all the latest from the sentencing hearing via the live blog below.
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10:32David Powell
'Passing her chairlift'
After Mears was found guilty on May 15, the judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands told him: "Mrs Flynn had been an extremely vulnerable lady who was killed by you in what should have been the safety of her own home after you had broken in."
He said any loss of life is tragic but the murder of Mrs Flynn was "truly horrific". Mears broke in, passing her chairlift, and stamped on her head repeatedly, causing catastrophic injuries."
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