Men not guilty of hitman plot to kill estranged wife

There was "no agreement" between two men accused of conspiring to hire a hit man to kill the estranged wife of one of them, their barristers have said.

Paul Lewis, 54, and Dominique Saunders, 35, who both live in the Maritime Quarter in Swansea, both deny conspiracy to murder Joanne Atkinson-Lewis between February and  April 2023.

The prosecution alleges Mr Lewis paid Mr Saunders £1,500 to arrange the murder of his estranged wife Mrs Atkinson-Lewis, although she was never harmed.

Both men chose not to give evidence in their trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Judge Justice Nicklin told the jury they should be sure that both men entered into an agreement to kill Mrs Atkinson-Lewis and there was an intention for that plan "to be carried out".

The jury was also told if they believe either man to be innocent of the conspiracy, both must be found "not guilty".

Defending Mr Lewis, John Hipkin said the prosecution had ignored that Mr Lewis was mentally ill and had spent some of the time in question on a psychiatric ward.

Mr Hipkin said Mr Lewis had paid £1,500 to Mr Saunders but that he had been "scammed" and the money had been spent by Mr Saunders on a holiday to Benidorm.

He said if the money had been paid to hire a hit man it would be "absolutely ridiculous" that Mr Lewis had contacted the police to complain he had been scammed.

Mr Hipkin reminded the jury of previous evidence from one witness that Mr Saunders had scammed Mr Lewis in the past.

He said the evidence in the case surrounded a "mentally unwell man and a scammer, a fraudster".

Defending Mr Saunders, John Harrison said his client was known as "dippy dominique" and incapable of arranging a hit man.

He said if the case "wasn't so serious for the defendants it would be funny".

"There is no evidence he was a hit man full-time, part-time or any time", he added.

Mr Harrison told the jury his client had taken advantage of Mr Lewis when he was vulnerable by scamming him and taking the money.

He said Mr Saunders "may be worthy of condemnation" but it was not evidence of an agreement to kill Mrs Atkinson-Lewis.

Mr Harrison said Mr Saunders did not do anything "because there was no agreement between them and he had no intention to do anything about killing Joanne Atkinson-Lewis".

He said "it has always been a scam, never an agreement and he's trying to get away with fifteen hundred quid".

Prosecutor William Hughes directed the jury to messages which had been exchanged between the two men and claimed they "clearly state the defendants had entered a criminal agreement to kill Joanne Atkinson-Lewis".

Mr Hughes said there had been regular requests from Mr Lewis asking if there was "any news?", alongside asking to be able to view the contents of a go-pro camera.

Another message sent by Mr Lewis said "death becomes her".

Mr Hughes also referred to messages which stated Mr Lewis had "seen Joanne on Aberavon beach and she looked ok".

Mr Saunders replied asking if he was sure.

In later messages, Mr Lewis said "I paid £1,500 in good faith" and "I'm starting to wonder if I've been scammed out of fifteen hundred pounds".

When Mr Saunders asked "how have I scammed you?", he received a message saying "she is still breathing".

Mr Hughes also reminded the jury of evidence heard from Mr Lewis' son asking if he had "taken out a hit on Joanne" to which he had nodded.

The judge told the jury they needed to consider if there was an agreement "that both intended to honour".

He asked "did both defendants intend Joanne Atkinson-Lewis to be killed?" and "are you sure Saunders ever intended to carry out his side of any bargain?".

The jury in the trial have retired to consider their verdict.