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North Wales Live
23-05-2025
- North Wales Live
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.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Wales Online
Police to attend sentencing of murderer Dean Mears over 'trouble' fears in public gallery
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info 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." (Image: North Wales Police) 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". (Image: North Wales Police handout) 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. Find crime figures for your area
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
Moment burglar smashes into nan's home before stomping her to death – as helpless daughter heard attack on doorbell cam
THIS is the horrifying moment a burglar smashed his way into a gran's home before stomping her to death in a brutal murder. Catherine "Queenie" Flynn, 69, was dragged from her bed by Dean Mears, who broke every bone in her face. 7 7 7 Her daughter Natasha Flynn-Farrell was forced to listen to her mum's final moments after the attack was caught on doorbell cam. Footage showed Mears ringing the bell at the home in Rhyl, North Wales, after he took cannabis and ketamine. The 34-year-old was then captured smashing a downstairs window to gain access to the house to burgle it. Once inside, Mears stomped on 4ft 10ins Catherine 15 times in a "senseless" attack. Tragically, the doorbell footage triggered a message on Natasha's phone - meaning she was forced to helplessly listen to her mum's killing. Brave Natasha kept the app open in order to record the video, which was the key evidence in the harrowing case. As a result, she told how she just "had to watch it play out' as her mum desperately begged "please don't". Mears could also be heard yelling "where are the keys?" as Catherine pleaded with him not to hurt her. The sickening sound of 15 thuds was also captured as the killer attacked Catherine. Natasha said: "It was horrendous, it was sickening.' Mears was then captured just two minutes later throwing himself through the broken window and fleeing. Frail Catherine, who used a Zimmer frame, suffered catastrophic injuries before dying the next day in hospital. Mears, who admitted manslaughter, has now been found guilty of murder following a trial. Caernarfon Crown Court heard after the horror last October, Mears returned to his pal's home and stripped off his trousers and underwear. He was then seen on CCTV walking semi-naked around the town. Mears admitted he had carried out the attack but claimed he had no recollection. Prosecutor Andrew Jones left Catherine "dying on the floor of her own bedroom". A post-mortem likened the injuries Catherine suffered to those seen in car crashes. A pathologist said the wounds were caused by "repeated, severe blunt force trauma that shattered all her facial bones". He added: "He inflicted such severe damage to the face of Mrs Flynn that she had no chance of surviving this vicious, unprovoked assault." Catherine's family described the gran as a "rock" and best friend to her three children and said "her house was so welcoming and warm". They said: "Catherine was a wonderful mum, nan, great nan, auntie, and sister, and also a second mother to many and a great friend. "She loved her family more than anything, she was a fantastic cook and was always wanting to feed anyone in her company. "Her pride and joy (after her family) was her love for her garden, she would sit for hours just watching the birds and the bees come in and out of her little wonderland, with every flower imaginable. "We often wondered how her garden was always so beautiful - now we know, it's because she was the ray of sunshine." Mears was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing in June. 7 7 7 7
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Chilling Ring doorbell footage shows moment murderer smashed into vulnerable pensioner's home before dragging her out of bed and beating her to death as she begged him to stop
This is the horrifying moment a convicted drug dealer is caught on a Ring doorbell camera smashing his way into a defenceless grandmother's home before beating her to death. Catherine Flynn's daughter could only watch in terror as Dean Mears - who was 'high on drugs' - forced his way into the 69-year-old's seaside home. Harrowing audio then captured the appalling sound of 15 thuds as the scaffolder dragged Mrs Flynn - who had mobility issues and used a Zimmer frame - out of bed and stamped repeatedly her face and neck. Heartbreakingly the terrified pensioner could be heard begging: 'Please don't!' Less than two minutes after breaking in, the 34-year-old dived out of the broken window before fleeing, leaving the pensioner dying. After the ketamine and cannabis user was today convicted of her murder, a judge said he had no doubt that drugs were the 'root cause' of his senseless crime. He said Mears had probably gone to the wrong address and targeted Mrs Flynn by mistake. Police have now released the heartbreaking clip, mercifully with audio from inside the house removed. Following her death, locals paid tribute to Catherine Flynn, saying: 'She was the nicest lady you could ever meet, would do anything for anyone, a true queen with a heart of gold.' Natasha Flynn had been at home when she received a notification and video from the smart doorbell that a man was outside her mother's house in Rhyl, north Wales last October. Horrifying footage shows an agitated-looking Mears kicking at the front door before smashing his way through a downstairs window. The doorbell captured him demanding to know where Mrs Flynn kept her keys as she begged him to leave her alone. By the time relatives had raised the alarm and police had rushed to the scene, he had already fled, leaving Mrs Flynn with injuries a pathologist likened to those seen in high impact crashes. Meanwhile callous Mears was disposing of his bloodstained clothes in a doomed bid to cover his tracks. Following the death of Mrs Flynn - known as Cathy - one local said: 'She was the nicest lady you could ever meet, would do anything for anyone, a true queen with a heart of gold.' The drug addict admitted Mrs Flynn's manslaughter but denied murder, saying he couldn't remember why he had attacked her. But a prosecution psychiatrist told his trial at Caernarfon Crown Court that he didn't suffer from a severe mental illness. Questioned by his KC Richard Pratt, Mears agreed he'd been jailed in 2021 for possessing drugs with intent to supply. In evidence Mears claimed he didn't know why he went to Mrs Flynn's home. She was a stranger and he had no reason to hurt her. 'Do you remember what you did in the house?' Mr Pratt asked him. 'I don't remember,' insisted Mears. The KC said he had subjected the pensioner to a 'terrible' attack in the house and caused the 'most horrific' injuries. Mears replied :'I accept that.' He added: 'I just know it was a terrible thing to happen. I wish I had answers.' Cross-examined by prosecuting KC Andrew Jones, Mears repeatedly answered: 'I don't remember.' Opening the case, Mr Jones said Mears 'inflicted such severe damage to the face of Mrs Flynn that she had no chance of surviving this vicious, unprovoked assault'. He added: 'His actions before and after the death of Mrs Flynn show clearly he knew what he was doing and what he had done. 'He set about trying to cover his tracks by disposing of clothing he knew was covered in Mrs Flynn's blood.' The jury today took four hours to find him guilty of murder. Mears, of Kinmel Bay, faces life in jail when he is sentenced next month. Judge Rhys Rowlands told him Mrs Flynn had been 'an extremely vulnerable 69-year- old lady' and he had murdered her 'in what should have been the safety of her own home'. 'In my judgement there's every reason to believe, high on drugs, you went to Mrs Flynn's home by mistake. 'You intended to go to someone else's address.' The judge added: 'Any loss of life is tragic, but your killing of Mrs Flynn that night wasn't only senseless but the circumstances surrounding it can only be viewed as truly horrific. 'You broke in, went up the stairs, passing the chair or stairlift on the stairs she used because she had only limited mobility. 'You dragged her out of bed, demanding repeatedly to know where the keys were, and repeatedly stamped on the victim on her face and neck, causing the most catastrophic of injuries. 'As to exactly why you behaved in that way, only you will know.' But the judge said drugs had ruined Mears' life and now the life of another family. 'I have no doubt the root cause was your long-standing addiction to harmful illicit drugs and association with the dealers at a higher level of these drugs.' Addressing Mrs Flynn's family, who cheered the guilty verdict from the public gallery, the judge added :'I can't for one moment put myself in their shoes. 'What a dreadful experience to have gone through:' He added that not many juries had to listen to somebody being killed. Afterwards Senior Investigating Officer Superintendent Lee Boycott of North Wales Police 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.'
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Rhy murder: Dean Mears guilty of murdering Catherine Flynn
A man has been found guilty of the murder of a 69-year-old grandmother. Dean Mears, 34, from Kinmel Bay, Conwy county, admitted the manslaughter of Catherine Flynn on 24 October 2024, but denied murder on the grounds of diminished Crown Court heard that he could not remember carrying out the fatal assault. But a jury returned a guilty verdict on Thursday afternoon.
