‘Abhorrent’ killer Dean Mears broke into the Rhyl home of Catherine ‘Cathy’ Flynn and stamped her to death
A harrowing video has shown the appalling moment a killer forced entry into the home of a much-loved grandmother and violently stamped her to death. Dean Mears broke into Catherine “Cathy” Flynn’s Rhyl residence and killed her in in her own bedroom.
Police issued Ring doorbell footage which captured the heinous act of the murderer breaking into the “wonderful” grandmother’s home on Cefndy Road. Just 90 seconds after, the camera caught Mears propelling himself out of the house, fleeing the crime scene.
In that fleeting stretch, he had savagely killed the defenceless 69-year-old woman, leaving every bone on her face broken.
On the night of October 24 last year, when the murder occurred, Mrs Flynn’s daughter was horrified as she received a notification from the camera and could do nothing but watch as the assailant gained entry. Part of the audio recorded during the incident is too harrowing to be made public.
The trial, which concluded with Mears being convicted of murder on Thursday, revealed that the recorded footage contained Mears’ voice demanding, “Where are the keys?” along with the chilling noise of “approximately 15 thuds”, reports North Wales Live.
Police have also shared bodycam content documenting the arrest of Mears. Initially detained on suspicion of attempted murder, it changed to murder after Mrs Flynn died in hospital. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter
During a recording of Mears’ police interview, he responded with “no comment” when questioned about whether he had the intent to murder his victim.
The 34-year-old has remained silent regarding his motives for the murder, yet a judge believes he arrived at Mrs Flynn’s residence mistakenly that evening while under the influence of drugs.
Mears, from Bodelwyddan Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Mears pled guilty to manslaughter but refuted the charge of murder. A jury returned a guilty verdict on Thursday afternoon. A judge described the attack as “senseless”, resulting in “catastrophic injuries”.
During the trial, which lasted nine days, the court heard how Mrs Flynn, who lived alone in the property, was dragged from her bed in the attack.
She was taken to hospital after suffering extensive facial trauma and multiple fractures, where she died the following day.
Judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands informed Mears that he would be receiving a life sentence. The minimum term Mears must serve before being eligible for parole consideration will be determined at a subsequent hearing scheduled for June 20.
North Wales Police have commended the composure of the victim’s family and described Mears’ conduct as “abhorrent”.
