Richard Jones murdered his son’s partner then calmly bought a custard slice.
CCTV showed Sophie returning from school drop-off and Jones arriving, pretending to do work. Forty-four minutes later, he left. Doorbell footage captured him calmly walking away while Sophie was dead inside the house. Afterwards, Jones, age fifty, bought food, including a tuna roll and custard slice.
Jones received a life sentence for the murder and must serve at least twenty years in prison. Sophie’s partner, Jamie, is Jones’ son.
Jamie said his life is forever changed and he now suffers with depression and anxiety. He described Sophie as loving and beautiful. Jamie stated Jones ruined his future; marriage and a family are now impossible. Sophie was his future wife, and they had planned to have children. Richard’s actions took their dreams away because they trusted Richard completely. Jamie never thought Richard could hurt Sophie.
Sophie’s sister, Carrie Quinlan, also spoke, feeling Jones destroyed their family. Sophie’s daughters will grow up without her, as Sophie lived for her two little girls. The trauma is heartbreaking, according to Carrie who added justice will never be enough. Sophie trusted Jones, Carrie explained.
He took advantage of a young woman and his actions are disgraceful, she said. The girls cry every night without their mom and their father lost his daughter. They will never forget Sophie, who will remain in their hearts.
Jones admitted to killing Sophie in a phone call to his ex-partner, Tracey Thompson, which lasted eight minutes. He then texted her to stay silent. Sophie suffered many injuries in the attack, including defensive wounds on her body. The cause of death was neck compression.
Police arrested Jones later and found a note in his car. It said his son scammed him and he felt he had no choice. Jones told police he lost his temper and claimed they took advantage of him.
Sophie paid the mortgage and lived with Jamie, Jones’ son, who was in jail at the time facing drug and money laundering charges. Jones felt tricked into the arrangement after signing a document saying he was the landlord, while Sophie was listed as a tenant. Prosecutors said this was fraudulent.
Before the murder, Jones searched the internet for “paternity fraud” in the UK, “duped into signing a mortgage”, and deed information.