Man Found Guilty of Murdering Vulnerable Partner in Neath
Mathew Pickering, 49, from Beaconsfield Street, has been convicted of murdering 46-year-old Georgina Dowey. The Swansea Crown Court delivered the verdict after Pickering, who initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter, denied the murder charge.
Georgina’s Tragic Death Uncovered at Pickering’s Home
Georgina Dowey, described as a vulnerable woman, had moved into Pickering’s Cadoxton, Neath address in March 2023. Her body was discovered by police on May 7, 2023, in the downstairs bathroom of Pickering’s home.
Shocking CCTV and Callous Cover-Up Attempts
Detective Inspector David Butt revealed chilling details of the case. CCTV partially captured Pickering’s attempts to cover up Georgina’s murder, which took place on the night of May 5 or early May 6. Pickering spent around 40 hours trying to erase evidence, while Georgina’s body lay hidden in his toilet.
- Pickering callously texted Georgina’s phone on May 6, asking if she had reached Merthyr safely, despite knowing she was dead at his house.
- He bought bleach, claiming it was to clean cat blood from the living room floor, to cover his tracks.
- Pickering disposed of Georgina’s two missing mobile phones in local bins, one found in a dog waste bin.
Police Urge Domestic Violence Victims to Speak Out
DI Butt thanked the local community and witnesses for their help and highlighted the police’s dedication to tackling domestic violence. He urged anyone affected by domestic abuse to come forward and talk to officers.
