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Man killed paedophile pensioner after exchanging alcohol for sex, court hears

Thomas Carney, 28, 'stamped and stamped and stamped' on 76-year-old David Phillips in his own home

Colin Drury
Thursday 22 August 2019 15:37 BST
Swansea Crown Court
Swansea Crown Court (Google)

An alcoholic killed a paedophile pensioner after going to his home on Valentine’s Day to give homosexual favours in return for booze, a court has heard.

Thomas Carney, 28, spent half an hour completing the exchange with 76-year-old David Phillips, it is alleged.

But shortly after he leaving the older man’s home in Neath, he returned, smashed his way in and carried out a savage attack, jurors at Swansea Crown Court were told.

He repeatedly stamped on Mr Phillips before using a heavy stereo and wooden stool as make shift weapons, it was said.

Carney, 28, of Llys Dur in Morriston, Swansea, denies murder. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assaulting a police officer.

Patrick Harrington, prosecuting, said the two men had met a month before the 14 February attack at an Alcoholics Anonymous group in Neath, reports the BBC.

"He [Carney] was desperate for alcohol and in his desperation, he went there in exchange for homosexual favours,” he said.

"I do not wish it to be kept from you that Mr Phillips had significant convictions for what we would call paedophilia but this does not justify his murder."

He added that Carney had “stamped and stamped and stamped” on his victim during the assault.

"It was the appalling injuries inflicted upon him which led to his death,” he said.

Carney was arrested after police found him shortly after hiding in the front garden of a house a few streets away.

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Bodycam footage of his arrival at Swansea Central Police Station was shown to the jury. In it, he could be seen spitting in the face of a police officer.

He later told them he only attacked Mr Phillips after the older man tried to rape him. In a pre-prepared statement, Carney said: "I will say I never intended to kill David Daniel Phillips."

The trial continues.

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