Police to attend sentencing of murderer Dean Mears over 'trouble' fears in public gallery
Police officers will attend the sentencing of the "abhorrent" murderer of a much-loved nan over concerns for potential "trouble".
Dean Mears, who was this month convicted of killing Catherine Flynn in Wrexham, will be sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on June 20.
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 such an emotional occasion.
But the prosecution told the judge at a hearing today that police officers would attend. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here
Last week a jury unanimously found Mears guilty of murdering 69-year-old Catherine Flynn after breaking into her home in Cefndy Road, Rhyl, last October.
Mears, 34, of Bodelwyddan Avenue, Kinmel Bay, killed her there but gave no explanation for his actions, the court heard during a nine-day trial. After the jury foreman announced the verdict there had been a thunderous shout of "Yes" from people in the public gallery, with one man there yelling: "Yeh dirty rat."
Today there was a hearing for the prosecution to formally offer no evidence against Mears over two burglary charges. Andrew Jones KC said there was "no public interest" in a prosecution on those matters.
The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands directed that not guilty verdicts be recorded in respect of those allegations. He also raised the subject of the sentencing date on the murder conviction.
Simon Killeen, defending, said Mears' family have decided not to attend that hearing on June 20. He pointed out the circumstances on such occasions "sometimes cause heat to rise for a period".
He added: "There's a flare message on Facebook Messenger inviting as many people as possible to go to attend the sentencing, concluding 'the more the merrier' ", and he warned there could be "difficulties" in the small public gallery.
Mr Jones KC told the court the crown would notify the police. "We will ensure there are some uniformed officers there," he added.
The sentencing hearing will be held in Caernarfon.
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