26 May 2023 , 13:10
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A man who murdered his partner then claimed he "just woke up" and found her dead, had caused her horrific internal injuries with a broom handle.
Carl Silcox murdered Adell Cowan at his home in Caerphilly, Wales on October 18, 2020 before leaving the flat and calling the police from a phone box.
The 45 year old told the 999 operator, he said: "I just woke up and my missus is dead."
The broom was later found at the scene and contained Ms Cowan's DNA and a trace of the defendant's semen.
A trial at Cardiff Crown Court previously heard Silcox told the emergency services he had discovered Ms Cowan lying in the bedroom "cold and dead".
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The defendant claimed the deceased's injuries had been caused by a gang of youths, but changed his story and claimed Ms Cowan worked as a prostitute and her injuries had been caused by a client.
Carl Silcox lied to police (WALES NEWS SERVICE)But on Friday, a jury dismissed Silcox's claims and convicted him of Ms Cowan's murder, Wales Online reports.
Prosecutor Gordon Cole KC told the court Ms Cowan suffered from alcoholism and lived a “chaotic lifestyle”.
She was in a relationship with Silcox at the time of her death, with both living in the Dol Yr Eos area of Carephilly.
At around 12.10am on October 18, 2020, Silcox called the police from a phone and told the operator: “I just woke up and my missus is dead.
"I am Carl Silcox, I have just come to the phonebox now, I have lost my mobile phone.”
The defendant was crying and upset, but refused to return to the address and give Ms Cowan CPR.
He said: “She’s dead mate, she’s cold as ice, I don’t know whether she choked on her spit or whatever, there’s a lot of coughing on the bed.
Adell Cowan was spotted on CCTV in the hours before her death (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
She was killed by her partner (WALES NEWS SERVICE)"Earlier on in the day I got beat up, she went to see those people and got back. We had a drink and I told her she got to get up and realised she was cold and dead.”
Upon arriving at the address, it was clear to the emergency services Ms Cowan had been dead for a number of hours.
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She was found to have injuries to her face, including bruising and swelling, and to her ribs.
A post mortem was carried out which resulted in the severe internal injuries being discovered.
Mr Cole said: “The death of Adell Cowan was in a state of trauma and alcohol.
"The death was described as having occurred in close association with the event of forceful anal penetration by that wooden broom handle.”
Adell Cowan was murdered (WALES NEWS SERVICE)Following the guilty verdict, the Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke thanked the jury for the "care and attention" they had shown in the case.
She also thanked Ms Cowan's family and friends for the way they conducted themselves during the trial.
Defence barrister John Benson KC asked for sentencing to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Addressing Silcox, Judge Lloyd-Clarke said: "You have been convicted of murder, the sentence must be one of life imprisonment.
"I must determine the minimum term before you can apply to the parole board for release."
Sentencing will take place on Friday, July 7.