Glastonbury woman found guilty of murder
Dawn Lewis stabbed her lodger and then falsely claimed it was self defence
Last updated 1st Dec 2022
A woman from Glastonbury, who fatally stabbed her tenant and then claimed it was self-defence, has been found guilty of murder.
Dawn Lewis, who's 54, claimed 61-year-old Glenn Richards had stabbed her in the leg during an argument at her home, back on April 18.
She said he fell down the stairs after she kicked back during the incident, allowing her to pick up the knife and use it against him to prevent him from attacking her further.
However, detectives were suspicious of her account after the doctor who treated her leg injuries said they appeared to be self-inflicted.
After hearing all the evidence, a jury at Bristol Crown Court has now found that she lied and had actually planned Richards' killing.
Detective Inspector Neil Meade, the senior investigating officer, said: “Dawn Lewis claimed she feared Glenn Richards and was worried what he’d do to her as his mental health was deteriorating.
“After deciding she no longer wanted him to lodge with her, she concocted a plan she thought would allow her to get away with his murder.
“She perhaps thought the witness who she revealed her plan to wouldn’t tell us of their conversation out of loyalty, but this belief was misguided.
“The witnesses’ evidence, along with that of the doctor who treated Lewis at hospital, and the picture the text messages between her and Mr Lewis painted of their relationship, was compelling.
“The jury had no choice in my mind but to reject Lewis’ lies and find her guilty of murder.”
During the trial, the jury heard Lewis had told an associate of hers that she wanted Mr Richards to move out of her house and showed him a knife in a video call to the person, just hours before the stabbing.
The associate described how, during the video call, Lewis spoke of stabbing Mr Richards in his bedroom before stabbing herself so she could claim self-defence.
Detectives also uncovered aggressive voicemails left by Lewis and text messages between the pair that cast doubt on her version of events.
DI Meade added: “Mr Richards had been estranged from his sons for a number of years but had recently begun to reconnect.
“They were due to meet up in the near future but Lewis’ actions robbed them of this opportunity.
“Specially trained family liaison officers have kept them informed throughout and our thoughts continue to be with them.”
Lewis has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced tomorrow (December 2).