Iris Owens murder: Drug addict son gets life for murdering mother with chainsaw as she hung out washing

Killer: Robert Owens was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his mother, Iris Owens, 75.
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Francesca Gillett1 November 2016

A son who murdered his loving elderly mother with a chainsaw while she hung out washing in the garden has been jailed for life.

Robert Owens kicked, strangled and brutally attacked mum Iris Owens, 75, with the power tool in the horrific attack in Ystrad Mynach, near Caerphilly, south Wales, on May 3.

The 47-year-old drug addict admitted murdering the pensioner and was today sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 and a half years.

Mrs Owens' other child, her daughter, said she was a “fantastic mum and grandma” who was loving, supportive and positive.

Victim: Iris Owens
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"Iris crammed so much into her life and into every waking moment but there was always something new and exciting that she wanted to do," she said.

Seconds before the fatal attack neighbours saw Mrs Owens hanging out washing about 5pm.

Witness David Harding heard a loud “oi” or “ah” sound and then heard the chainsaw starting in the garden.

Owens dialled 999 at 5.21pm, telling the operator: "Yeah, my mother just went mad. I was chainsawing some wood.

"She's in the garden now, please help her. She's gone mad, she's not breathing, she went f****** mad.

"I've got to give her the kiss of life but she ain't doing nothing."

Paramedics arrived at the property at 5.40pm, finding Owens agitated and with blood on his hands and clothing.

They found Mrs Owens lying on her back near a tree stump in the rear garden, with a cut to the left side of her neck.

She was pronounced dead shortly after.

Owens, who had lived with his mum since the death of her husband in 2004, told a paramedic his mother had "gone berserk", adding: "I'm going to jail".

When asked about his medical history, Owens said he was a heroin addict and had last taken the drug at midnight.

Tests later revealed morphine, heroin and cocaine in his system.

Representing Owens, Simon Laws QC said his client was remorseful.

"This was a close, loving and supportive relationship, so to sit where he does today having done what he did is a very terrible thing," Mr Laws said.

"He is devastated by what happened in those few minutes of anger in the garden."

Mrs Justice Nicola Davies previously described the murder as a "tragic and unusual case".

Speaking after the sentence, Detective Superintendent Ruth Price, from Gwent Police, described Mrs Owens as "an inspirational person".

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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