GARETH JONES

Gareth Jones was jailed for life for murdering and raping his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Leigh Flanagan, after he refused to accept the relationship was over.

Miss Flanagan, described by her family as 'beautiful and fun loving' had left him a month before her death, taking their two children, aged one and two, with her.

Jones had assaulted Stephanie in the weeks before her death - though this was not reported to police.

But less than two weeks before she was murdered she called police to report Jones had attacked her, injuring her arm.

Police investigated but she refused to pursue the complaint against her ex, Greater Manchester Police said.

Days later, in July 2008, Stephanie hosted a barbecue at her home, which was attended by a number of friends, including Jones.

In the early hours of the next morning he returned to the house, in Windermere Road, Hyde, Greater Manchester, removed a washing line from the garden and a paving slab and entered his ex-partner's bedroom.

Jones then battered her over the head with the paving slab before binding her wrists with the washing line. He then raped her and fled, leaving the children alone in the house.

Her body was found the next day. A post mortem examination concluded she died from a serious head injury.

Jones was arrested at 11.40pm the same evening after he was spotted driving along the A487, between Bangor and Caernarfon in North Wales.

Today he was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court, and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years six months before parole is considered.

Outside court Miss Flanagan's family issued the following statement: 'Stephanie was a beautiful, young, fun-loving girl in the prime of her life. She was only 19.

'She had two very young children who will now have to continue their lives knowing their mother is dead and that their father is responsible.

'This is a complete tragedy and we, as her family and friends, are devastated by the loss.

'We now wish to be left to grieve in peace and to continue to offer all the support and love for Stephanie's two children.'

Senior Investigating Officer Vincent Chadwick from Greater Manchester Police, said: 'Jones bludgeoned to death the mother of his children and a woman he supposedly loved.

'He brutally attacked her before raping her as she lay dying.'

'He now has a long time to reflect on what he has done and I hope in time he will acknowledge how much his actions have devastated both families. His two children now face growing up without either parent.

'This is truly a heartbreaking case and Jones has never really given an explanation for his actions.

'Stephanie had tried to end the relationship but Jones was not willing to let her start afresh.' (Gareth Jones)

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