Man murders woman in 'savage' attack before hiding her body under towels in 'chaotic' flat

A man who murdered a woman and hid her body under blankets and towels in a 'chaotic' flat has been put behind bars.

Leanne Williams, 47, was subjected to a "frightening, savage and continued attack" before her body was discovered at her flat in Townhill, Swansea, on February 27. A Home Officepost-mortem examination identified multiple serious injuries, including a fractured skull.

Matthew Battenbough, aged 34, pleaded guilty to the murder of Miss Williams and was sentenced to life in prison at Swansea Crown Court today. He will serve a minimum term of 20 years and 114 days.

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Murderer and victim knew each other 'by sight'

In court, Michael Jones KC for the prosecution told how victim Leanne Williams lived alone in a first-floor flat in Townhill, and suffered with alcohol and drug addiction and there was multi-agency involvement in her life.

He said she would sometimes resort to offering sexual services in return for money and drugs. The barrister said the combination of all these factors made her "particularly vulnerable to being taken advantage of”, reports Wales Online.

Miss Williams and the Battenbough knew each other “by sight” from Swansea city centre, Mr Jones added.

On the morning of February 24, Leanne and a friend walked her dogs and then visited a supermarket before going back to her flat at just after 11am.

Mr Jones KC said Leanne’s friend left the flat while she stayed at home.

The barrister said that in the afternoon, the defendant was seen at the Matalan store on the Cwm Du trading estate where he was caught on CCTV stealing a number of jackets from a rack.

He was then seen walking around the area carrying the stolen items under his coat.

The barrister said that shortly after 5pm on that day there was a “chance meeting” on the street between the defendant and Leanne who had by now been joined by her friend again.

He said Battenbough asked the pair if they had a crack pipe, as he had drugs which he had apparently traded the stolen jackets for.

The court heard Leanne said she had a pipe at home and the three of them returned to her flat where they smoked the drug together. The court heard Battenbough later asked Leanne and her friend if they wanted to go shoplifting with him - Leanne said yes, while the friend said no.

The prosecutor said Leanne and Battenbough then went to another store to buy lager, while the friend left and went home.

The court heard Leanne and the defendant then returned to Leanne’s flat, and were caught on camera going into the property at 6.44pm. Mr Jones said this is the last time anyone save the defendant saw Leanne alive.

'Deliberate, savage and sustained attack'

The prosecution barrister said exactly what happened in the flat is known only to Battenbough, but that he had failed to provide any account of what he did to Leanne or why he did it.

He said it was clear Leanne was subject to “deliberate, savage and sustained attack”.

The court heard the defendant left the flat some 45 minutes after entering, but returned to the flat twice more that evening before leaving for the final time. In the days that followed, Miss Williams’ friend attended her flat on a number of occasions but did not see the body, which was on the floor of the living room concealed under blankets and towels, Mr Jones said.

The flat itself was said to be in a "chaotic state".

On the morning of February 27, Miss Williams’ friend went to Swansea Central police station to report her missing. That afternoon, police officers went to the flat and found the body.

The court heard Miss Williams head was covered in blood and bruises, her bra had been pulled up and her top ripped and cut, and the lower half of her body was exposed. She was found laying on her back.

A blood stained knife, pair of scissors, and frying pan were subsequently recovered from near Miss Williams’ body. Battenbough's DNA was found on the items.

A post mortem examination found extensive blunt and sharp force injuries to Miss Williams’ head, face and neck. The defendant’s semen was found in Miss Williams’ vagina and anus.

Mr Jones said it is not possible on the forensic to say whether the sexual intercourse that had occurred was consensual or not.

The cause of Miss Williams’ death was given as blunt force trauma to the head.

Mr Jones said Miss Williams was subjected to a "frightening, savage and continual physical attack which caused - and was intended to cause - her death”.

'What do you mean murder?'

Battenbough was arrested on Heol Rhyd Ddu Fach in Cwmllynfell on March 1. His reply to being cautioned was “What do you mean murder?”

He subsequently pleaded guilty to murder at a hearing at Swansea Crown Court on August 18.

Battenbough has previous convictions for motoring offences, making threats with a bladed article, public disorder, possession of an offensive weapon, battery, assaulting an emergency worker, and domestic and non-dwelling burglaries.

Caroline Rees KC, representing Battenbough, told the court that the defendant had “done the right thing” in accepting the strength of the evidence against him and admitting his guilt, something which was rare in a murder case, and something which had meant the victim's family would not have to go through a trial.

'You just abandoned her'

Judge Paul Thomas KC said he could not find any remorse on the part of the defendant, and said that is illustrated by the “indifferent attitude” Battenbough showed in the dock as he appeared in court.

In his sentencing remarks, he told Battenbough: “You made no attempt to get help. You just abandoned her”

The judge sentenced him to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years and 114 days.

Battenbough was told he must serve the minimum term before he can apply to be released but it will be for the Parole Board to determine if he is safe to be let out at that point, at a later date, “or indeed, if ever at all”.