Man jailed for life after murdering pensioner who mistook his home for B&B and got into his bed

A man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years for murdering a woman who mistook his home for a B&B and got into his bed.

David Redfern, 46, from Barmouth in north Wales, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday.

Margaret Barnes, from Birmingham, died on Marine Parade, Barmouth, in the early hours of 11 July 2022.

Redfern’s trial heard he dragged the 71-year-old down the stairs and was accused of kicking or stamping on her, inflicting liver injuries on her, which the pathologist described as being “un-survivable” and similar to those seen in car crash victims.

During sentencing, the judge described Redfern’s behaviour towards Ms Barnes as “aggressive and offensive”, adding that it was after he had called the police that things went “terribly wrong”.

After finding Ms Barnes in his bed – holding a drink and surrounded by what appeared to be her belongings – Redfern’s actions of asking her what she was doing in his home were “entirely appropriate”, the judge said.

But the “trigger” for what happened next was Ms Barnes accusing Redfern’s partner, Nicola Learoyd-Lewis, of stealing her handbag and lunging towards her, after the phone call to police had been made.

The judge added that when outside the house, Redfern watched Ms Barnes in an “aggressive” or “threatening” attitude as she tried to gather her belongings.

In comparison, Ms Learoyd-Lewis acted “gently” and “carefully”, guiding Ms Barnes, who was unsteady on her feet, outside of the property.

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Redfern’s sentence was slightly lowered from the maximum of 14-15 years, due to the “sudden and bizarre circumstances” in which the offence was committed, and the “lack of intention to kill”.

He previously admitted to having been drinking on the evening of 10 July 2022 – “about six or seven pints in total with, I believe, a gin and tonic”.

He also acknowledged in his evidence that some of the comments he made towards Ms Barnes “were appalling”, adding that he thought she was “very drunk” at the time.

In a statement released after the jury’s verdict on Wednesday, Ms Barnes’s family described her as “a much-loved wife, mother and grandmother”.