A man accused of plotting to murder his neighbour’s wife has denied the allegations, claiming he never took the talk of killing the woman seriously. The court heard that he also refuted receiving £1,500 from his neighbour to hire a hitman for the job, stating that the money was a loan for personal expenses. Paul Lewis and Dominique Saunders are facing charges of conspiring to murder Lewis’ estranged wife, with both denying the accusations. The trial, taking place at Swansea Crown Court, has revealed details of Saunders’ police interview following his arrest in May 2023.
During the interview, Saunders mentioned instances where Lewis discussed killing his wife, Joanne Atkinson-Lewis, particularly when intoxicated. Saunders recounted conversations where Lewis expressed a desire to remove his ex-wife from his life, willing to pay any cost. However, Saunders indicated that he perceived Lewis as obsessed with his estranged wife and still in love with her, leading him to dismiss the murder talk as folly. Saunders confirmed receiving money from Lewis but clarified it was not payment for arranging the murder, rather a financial loan for bills and a new bed.
The court heard about Saunders’ internet searches related to firearms and shooting ranges between March and May 2023, coinciding with the period of the alleged conspiracy. These searches accounted for a small fraction of his overall browsing history. Lewis and Atkinson-Lewis had been in a relationship for 16 years before their separation in early 2021, initiating divorce proceedings. The prosecution asserts that between February and April 2023, the defendants conspired to kill the wife, with Lewis allegedly providing money to facilitate the murder.
Judge Geraint Walters emphasised that in a conspiracy to murder case, the agreement itself constitutes the offence. The court learned of Lewis’ mental health struggles and how his son alerted authorities due to concerns raised by exchanged text messages between the defendants. The trial continues with Paul Lewis, aged 54, and Dominique Saunders, aged 34, both residing in Swansea, denying charges of conspiracy to commit murder.