STEVE Baxter, who stabbed to death his neighbour Simon Clark at a caravan park in Pendine, has been jailed for life today and will serve a minimum of 24 years behind bars.
Baxter, aged 52, whose full name is Wayne David Baxter Tidy, refused to leave his prison cell and attend Swansea crown court to hear the judge address him.
The judge, Mr Justice Picken, said, "I'm addressing an empty chair but I will speak as if Baxter was in the dock.
"You and he were friends. In fact you had bought his caravan for him and he was paying you back.
"The first altercation involving Mr Clark and Jeffrey Ward had ended.
"Your case of self defence was rejected by the jury. You were the aggressor and you should never have picked up that knife.
"You and you alone are to blame for his death."
Mr Justice Picken said there were several aggravating features--his previous convictions in particular.
"And I was unable to detect any remorse," he added.
Baxter was convicted on Monday or murdering 54 year old Mr Clark, a father of three, at the Grove caravan park during a violent attack on September 27 last year.
Ward, aged 42, was also charged with murder but found not guilty and discharged.
Baxter stabbed Mr Clark in his heart with a fish scaling knife before going on the run.
He was arrested a month later hiding out on Marros beach, not far from the scene of the murder.
It emerged today that Baxter already had a conviction for attempted murder and for several other offences of violence, theft, obtaining by deception and having sexual intercourse with an underage girl.
Paul Lewis, prosecuting, read victim impact statements from Mr Clark's relatives, including his mother Meg and daughter Gemma.
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Sarah Stockwell, his partner, described him as the love of her life. "He was a good man with amazing energy. Baxter told lie after lie and I hope he never sees the outside ever again," she wrote.
Also sentenced today was Julie Harris, aged 46, who admitted attempting to pervert justice by driving Baxter and Ward -- her partner -- away from the scene.
She admitted later returning to the Grove during the night to remove cannabis plants from one of the caravans as Mr Clark lay dead or dying.
His body was not found until the following day.
She drove Baxter and Ward to the home of Philip Powell in Glynneath, where the two men spent the night. She also visited them at the home of Mansel Edwards in Tonypandy, where they spent some of the following day.
Later, they spent time at Harris' home in Tonypandy "taking refuge," said Mr Lewis.
Ward spent the night there but Baxter headed elsewhere.
Later she drove Ward to St Clears and dropped him at the home of Ian Evans, where he was arrested.
She was arrested at the Portreeve restaurant in Laugharne where she worked.
Mr Justice Picken told Harris her offending struck at the heart of justice.
"Your assistance was not fleeting and spanned several days," he added.
She was jailed for 14 months, suspended for two years, after the court heard she had already spent 46 days in jail awaiting sentencing.
What the police have said
Dyfed-Powys Police Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Paul Jones said:"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr Clark for their loss in such horrific circumstances and thank them for their support throughout the investigation.
"I am pleased to receive the verdict today that Baxter has been found guilty of murdering Simon Clark. It brings a lengthy and complex inquiry to a conclusion for the family and loved ones of Mr Clark and for Dyfed-Powys Police.
"I hope this verdict will demonstrate to them that justice has been served, and the sentence will be a deterrent to anyone thinking of carrying knives.
"I would like to thank the many police officers and members of staff who formed part of the investigation team, who worked long and hard to ensure a thorough case was put before the courts.
"I must also thank members of the public and the community of Pendine for their support and patience during the investigation."
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