Dean Jones, stepfather of murdered Oxfordshire teenager Jayden Parkinson, has been fined £50 for sending threatening online messages to the family of her killer, Ben Blakeley. The conviction stems from a Facebook message sent last September, the day Jayden would have turned 29, in which Jones said Blakeley and his brother should hang themselves.
Police arrested Jones at his bus stop following the message, leading to a court hearing where the judge imposed the fine.
Jayden's Tragic Murder
Jayden Parkinson, aged 17, was pregnant with Blakeley’s child when he strangled her in December 2013. After the killing, Blakeley buried her body in a shallow grave before moving it to a family plot in Didcot, Oxfordshire. Jayden had ended the abusive relationship a month earlier but went to confront Blakeley to inform him of her pregnancy.
Stepfather's Court Battle
Dean Jones faced criticism for his online threats, which also included a death threat to another Blakeley brother, Jake, who had allegedly lied to police about covering up the murder. At the time of his arrest, Jones was homeless and living in a bus. He described the legal action as a “complete and utter waste of time” and expressed frustration over difficulties accessing mental health support, unlike Blakeley who receives care in prison.
Family's Pain And Legal Restrictions
Jones said the police case reopened painful memories, recalling how he and Jayden’s mother wake each day briefly forgetting she is gone. He has been given a 10-year restraining order preventing contact with the Blakeley family and must comply with probation requirements. Jones described his ongoing trauma and the lasting impact Jayden’s death has had on his life, stating: “I’m never going to move on.”
Judicial Response And Review Findings
Judge Michael Roques acknowledged Jones’s anguish but emphasised the legal need to end such threats. An official review concluded that police and local authorities mishandled Jayden’s disappearance and failed to recognise the danger Blakeley posed. Jayden’s mother, Samantha Shrewsbury, has expressed a desire to confront Blakeley but maintains she will never forgive him.
Originally published by UKNIP.
