The tragic moment a 71-year-old woman entered a property she wrongly believed to be a B&B before she was dragged into the street and beaten to death has been revealed – as her attacker is jailed for 14 years.
Grandmother Margaret Barnes had been visiting Barmouth in Wales from her home in Birmingham when she mistook the home of David Redfern for her accommodation, which was a few doors away, Caernarfon Crown Court heard.
Redfern, 46, had drunk six or seven pints and a gin and tonic during a night out with his partner before returning home and falling asleep while watching Antiques Roadshow.
But when the couple decided to turn in for the night at around 11pm they found semi-naked Mrs Barnes lying in their bed, drinking and smoking, with a black travel case open on the floor.
A row broke out and Mrs Barnes was dragged by her heels down the stairs and flung out of the house. Redfern also kicked or stamped on the frail pensioner, breaking three of her ribs and causing a catastrophic and unsurvivable injury to her liver.
The last moments before Margaret Barnes, 71, was murdered by David Redfern, 46, have been revealed, showing the grandmother hauling her small suitcase up the drive as she places her black handbag on a table outside of the door
David Redfern, 46, (left) dragged 71-year-old Margaret Barnes downstairs by her feet after he found her asleep in a bed at his seafront home in Barmouth, North Wales, on July 11 last year
Ms Barnes ended up mistakenly entering Belmont House, Redfern’s seaside property in Barmouth
But the 71-year-old had booked to stay in the Wavecrest B&B on Marine Parade – a few doors down from Redfern’s property
The ‘much-loved’ wife, mother and grandmother died on the pavement outside, the court heard.
Redfern denied murdering Mrs Barnes on July 11 last year but was convicted by a jury earlier this week.
Handing him a mandatory life sentence for murder with a minimum 14 years before parole, Mr Justice Charles Bourne told the defendant: ‘I accept you must have been very shocked to find a stranger in your house, your bedroom.
‘But your reaction surpasses anything that any reasonable person could imagine.
‘You are a large and strong man, aged 45 at the time.
‘She was small and slight, at least 25 years older than you, clearly affected by alcohol and unsteady on her feet.
‘I can understand why you might have escorted her out of your house, though a different person might have responded to this situation by trying to help her.
‘But the assault, a kick or stamp of sufficient force to cause a fatal injury, was a dreadful thing to do, to a defenceless elderly person.’
Daughter Natalie Barnes read a victim impact statement to court describing her mother as a person who ‘loved the little things in life.’
She said: ‘When my mum called out for my dad and brother they were unable to save her.
‘As a family we will never get over what has happened. My mum didn’t need to die and we don’t understand why she had to.’
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The court heard Mrs Barnes ‘simply mistook’ Redfern’s large seaside home for her hotel after travelling more than 100 miles to a seaside resort for a £95-a-night break.
Prosecutor Michael Jones said: ‘It was a mistake that ultimately cost her her life.
‘The reason Mrs Barnes died is she had the misfortune of coming across a man who was an angry bully.’
Earlier, the court heard that arrangements had been made with a local B&B for Mrs Barnes to stay in Barmouth and she had been out drinking with friends and was unsteady on her feet.
Prior to the incident, Redfern had drunk six or seven pints and a gin and tonic during a night out with his partner
David Redfern (pictured) was furious when he saw Margaret Barnes, 71, had undressed, unpacked and climbed into a bed at his house in Barmouth, North Wales
When Redfern and his partner went upstairs to bed, Redfern at first calmly called police and asked officers to come and remove her. But things then went ‘terribly wrong’ after a row broke out, the court heard
Mrs Barnes had been booked into the Wavecrest B&B (pictured) which was several doors down on Marine Parade
She mistook her accommodation for Redfern’s home and went inside and got in bed at around 10.10pm on July 10 last year.
When Redfern and his partner went upstairs to bed, around 40 minutes later, Redfern at first calmly called police and asked officers to come and remove her.
But things then went ‘terribly wrong’ after a row broke out, the court heard.
Redfern, a 6ft 1in man who weighed 21 stone, dragged the unwanted visitor downstairs by her heels and flung her suitcase into the street.
He also kicked or stamped on Mrs Barnes, causing the fatal injury.
Redfern told the jury he had found Mrs Barnes sitting up in their bed drinking gin and tonic with her false teeth on the bedside table.
Outside court, Detective Superintendent Mark Pierce of North Wales Police said: ‘During a two-week trial Redfern showed no remorse, attempted to blame Margaret for his actions and subjected her family to the trauma of a two-week trial where details of the event were explored in graphic detail.
‘David Redfern is a cowardly, vicious bully and will now spend at least 14 years behind bars where he can reflect on what he has done.’
Mrs Barnes’ family added: ‘As a family it has been the hardest time of our lives.
‘It has been especially difficult for Margaret’s husband who had been her partner for 56 years.
‘We now have some sort of closure on what has happened however no length of sentence will ever fill the void that Margaret has left behind.’
