A man has been found guilty of murder following a trial at Swansea Crown Court after the death of 46-year-old Georgina Dowey in his Cadoxton, Neath address last year.
Matthew Pickering, 49, of Beaconsfield Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder after Georgina’s body was discovered by police in his downstairs bathroom on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
The victim, who was a vulnerable individual, was in a relationship with Pickering, and had moved into his address in March 2023.
Detective Inspector David Butt said:
“This conviction represents justice being served for Georgina’s murder – at the hands of her own partner.
“The actions Matthew Pickering took in his attempt to get away with murder were partially caught on CCTV.
“Georgina was last seen alive on Friday, May 5. The murder took place either later that evening or during the early hours of the following morning.
“He spent approximately 40 hours covering his tracks while Georgina’s body lay on the floor of his downstairs toilet.
“On Saturday, May 6, he sent the following text to Georgina’s phone: ‘Did you make it to Merthyr ok? x’. He sent this text in full knowledge that her body was at his home.
“At 16:31 that afternoon, he went to the corner shop on his street to buy bleach. He would later claim that he purchased the bleach as “his cat was playing in the blood on the living room floor,” so he had to wipe it up.
“He also got rid of key evidence by placing items in bins in the local area, including items that were found in a dog waste bin. Georgina had two mobile phones – neither of which have been found – and it is believed that Matthew Pickering disposed of them.
“He made disclosures to family members about what he had done the following day.
“My thoughts remain with Georgina’s family who are understandably devastated by what has happened.
“I would like to thank the local community and witnesses for the support they have provided to this investigation.”
Tackling domestic violence and violence against woman and girls is a clear priority for the force and we urge any who is suffering from domestic violence to come forward and speak to police.
Matthew Pickering will be sentenced on February 5.
