THIS is the bloodstained forklift truck allegedly used by a jealous husband to move his love rival’s body before burning it. Andrew Jones, 53, shot dead father-of-three Mike O’Leary, 55, with one of his eight guns before “destroying” his body in a series of fires, a court was told. Swansea Crown Court has heard Jones […]
THIS is the bloodstained forklift truck allegedly used by a jealous husband to move his love rival’s body before burning it.
Andrew Jones, 53, shot dead father-of-three Mike O’Leary, 55, with one of his eight guns before “destroying” his body in a series of fires, a court was told.
Swansea Crown Court has heard Jones had learned Mr O’Leary was having an affair with his wife Rhianon, 51.
Jones “lured” Mr O’Leary to a secluded farm near Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire, by using a “secret” phone belonging to his wife, jurors were told.
Jones – who ran building and farming businesses – shot dead Mr O’Leary before using the fork lift to take his body into the boot of his Audi A6 and driving it to his home where he burned it, the court heard.
The jury was shown forklift truck Jones allegedly used to move Mr O’Leary’s body.
Prosecutor William Hughes QC said: “Mike O’Leary was lured to this location expecting a private meeting with Rhianon Jones.
“Instead he was met by this defendant who was armed with a powerful rifle which he used to deliberately shoot him dead.
“Steps were subsequently taken to hide and cover up his crimes – not in panic but a clear and calculated approach.”
Mr Hughes told the court that Jones “had murder very much in mind” adding: “This was a carefully planned and well though-out murder far from an accident.
“When Mike arrived he had the same intent to kill him when he shot him – this is no tragic accident”.
Jurors were told Jones then dumped Mr O’Leary’s car by a river to stage his disappearance as suicide – before making his getaway on bicycle.
A search of Jones’ home found he had a collection of eight guns – including a .22 Colt rifle allegedly used to shoot Mr O’Leary.
Police also found jeans and trainers at Jones’ house which had traces of Mr O’Leary’s blood.
Mr Hughes said a search of the farm then found bullets and shell casings as well as blood-stained gravel and traces of blood on the blades of a fork lift truck.
A jury was also shown an oil drum where a small piece of human tissue was found inside – which experts said belonged to Mr O’Leary.
Jones, of Bronwydd, Carmarthen, denies murder saying Mr O’Leary died in an accident.
The trial at Swansea Crown Court continues.
