The jury in the trial of a husband accused of conspiring to hire a hitman to murder his estranged wife has been discharged. Paul Lewis and his neighbour, Dominique Saunders, faced allegations of plotting to kill Lewis’ former partner. It was claimed that Lewis had paid Saunders £1,500 to arrange the murder, although no such act was carried out. Both men denied the accusations.
The trial at Swansea Crown Court was halted on Tuesday morning after detailed legal discussions, with a retrial date to be scheduled. Judge Geraint Walters expressed gratitude to the jurors for their service. Prosecutors argued that Lewis had engaged Saunders to facilitate the murder of his wife, Joanne Atkinson-Lewis, by arranging for a hitman. The alleged agreement between the two men was deemed the basis of the offence.
Paul Lewis, 54, and Dominique Saunders, 34, both residents of Fishmarket Quay, Swansea Marina, denied the charges. The case will now proceed to a retrial following the discharge of the jury. Both defendants are expected to face the allegations again in a new trial. The courtroom proceedings have been closely followed as the legal process unfolds.