A builder burned the body of his wife’s secret lover after luring him to a remote farm and shooting him dead, a court has heard.
Andrew Jones, 53, is accused of burning the remains of Michael O’Leary, 55, in a rusty oil drum in January this year, according to a report by Sky News
Jones had discovered Mr O’Leary, a married father-of three, was having an affair with his wife, Rhianon, and admitted to detectives he had lured the other man to farmland next to his home.
The businessman sent messages from his wife’s phone to Mr O’Leary arranging to meet for a “cwtch” at Cyncoed Farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales, on 27 January.
He has denied murder and says Mr O’Leary left following a discussion about the affair.
Prosecutors allege Jones shot Mr O’Leary dead with a rifle during the confrontation before disposing of his body by burning it.
Forensic scientist Dr Robert Lewis told Swansea Crown Court he had examined CCTV recovered from Jones’ home which showed a fire burning in the early hours of 29 January.
He said the fire had continued for several hours and involved the use of petrol or another accelerant.
Dr Lewis confirmed to the court the CCTV had shown the fire burning from 1.22am to at least 5.52am.
Earlier, the court heard human tissue had been recovered from a rusty oil drum at the farm.
Forensic pathologist Dr Stephen Leadbeatter, who carried out tests on the tissue, concluded it was from the small intestine.
The piece of tissue was 16cm by 4cm in size and had scorch marks on it, indicating it had been burned, he told the court.
“There was no evidence [the scorching] had occurred during life,” he said.
Jurors previously heard DNA testing had found the tissue was Mr O’Leary’s.
A missing person inquiry was launched after Mr O’Leary had failed to return to his home in Nantgaredig.
Jones was arrested on suspicion of murder after telling detectives he had lured Mr O’Leary to the farm after learning about the affair in September last year.
The trial continues.
