Man facing jail for murdering partner with broom handle
Carl Silcox found guilty after jury heard details of his brutal attack
Last updated 26th May 2023
A South Wales man's facing life in jail for murdering his partner with a wooden broom handle.
Lying Carl Silcox, 45, phoned police after saying he had woken up to find girlfriend Adell Cowan, 43, dead in bed.
Police arrived at their flat to find Adell had suffered visible injuries to her face and head - and blood-stained clothing and bedsheets were at the scene.
Medical examinations later found Adell had suffered serious internal injuries from a wooden broom handle.
Silcox was today found guilty of murder at Cardiff Crown court after the jury heard the details of his attack
Prosecutor Gordon Cole KC said Silcox dialled 999 shortly after midnight on October 18, 2020 to say Adell was dead at the property in Caerphilly, South Wales.
He said: "In the course of that call he said: 'I woke up and my missus is dead. I'm Carl Silcox I've just come to the phone box now. I lost my mobile phone'.
"He was asked if he could go and try CPR to which he replied: 'She's dead mate, she's cold as ice, I don't know if she choked on her spit or whatever.'"
Mr Cole said Adell was "a person with real issues who may have died at any stage because of her long-standing and excessive alcohol consumption."
Cardiff Crown Court heard that when police and emergency services arrived they discovered Adell had been dead for several hours.
Mr Cole said Home Office pathologist Dr carried out a post mortem examination and was unable to identify "any natural explanation for Adell Cowan's death."
Mr Cole said: "He did note that she had sustained a catalogue of injuries.
"There was bruising and swelling to her face, to her head, to her neck. There were 13 rib fractures, five posterior rib fractures, fractures to her back.
"During that post mortem examination it was revealed she sustained a laceration of her spleen and a split to the lining of her pelvis.
"Despite the fact Adell Cowan was a lady with difficulties, she was vulnerable because of her alcohol dependancies, it's impossible to ignore the trauma of having caused a significant role in the death of Adell."
"The circumstances point to this defendant having inflicted unlawful violence from which there was a substantial cause of the death of Adell Cowan from the violence, the facial injuries, the ribs, and the use of the broom handle."
Silcox denied inflicting the injuries. Silcox, giving evidence in his defence, told the court he would never have harmed Miss Cowan and loved her.
He said: “I think I loved her more. She used to say we were like soulmates.”
Following her death, Adell, was described by her family as "much-loved" and "bubbly" and described her as a "much-loved sister, auntie, niece and friend to many".
They said: "She was bubbly, sociable and well-known in the community.
“She will be deeply missed by all who knew her."
Silcox, of Aberbargoed, Caerphilly, denied murder and manslaughter but was found guilty after three hours of deliberation by the jury.
Recorder of Cardiff Tracey Lloyd-Clarke adjourned sentence for reports until July 7.
She told him: "You need to understand of course that this will only go towards the length of the minimum term of the life sentence you will serve so you'll be remanded in custody until then.”
Judge Lloyd-Clarke addressed the victim’s family and friends who were in court.
She said: “It will undoubtedly have been very difficult for you to listen to the evidence throughout the course of these proceedings, but you have done so without causing any interruption or disruption. Thank you."