In a harrowing turn of events, Mathew Pickering, 49, of Beaconsfield Street, has been found guilty of murder in the trial at Swansea Crown Court concerning the death of 46-year-old Georgina Dowey. The verdict came after Pickering initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied the charge of murder.

Georgina Dowey, a vulnerable individual, was in a relationship with Pickering and had moved into his Cadoxton, Neath address in March 2023. Her life came to a tragic end, with her body discovered by the police in Pickering’s downstairs bathroom on May 7, 2023.

Detective Inspector David Butt shed light on the chilling details of the case, stating that Pickering’s attempt to cover up the murder was partially captured on CCTV. Georgina was last seen alive on May 5, and the murder occurred either that evening or during the early hours of the next morning.

Pickering spent approximately 40 hours trying to erase any evidence while Georgina’s lifeless body lay in his downstairs toilet. Shockingly, he sent a text to her phone on May 6, inquiring if she had made it to Merthyr ok, knowing full well that her body was in his home.

The following day, Pickering made purchases to further cover his tracks, buying bleach under the pretext of cleaning up his cat’s supposed interaction with blood on the living room floor. He also disposed of crucial evidence, including Georgina’s two missing mobile phones, in local bins, some found in a dog waste bin.

DI Butt expressed gratitude to the local community and witnesses for their support during the investigation, emphasizing the force’s commitment to tackling domestic violence. He urged those experiencing domestic violence to come forward and speak to the police.