Simon Parks loses appeal to have his sentence cut over his mother-in-law's murder
Mari O'Flynn, 79, was killed on 24 May 2022. Her family described her as a "loving mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother".
Tuesday 4 July 2023 15:44, UK
A man who murdered his mother-in-law has lost a Court of Appeal bid to reduce his sentence.
Simon Parks, who was 52 at the time, was jailed for life in November after previously pleading guilty to murder.
He was given a minimum term of 25 years in jail after strangling Mari O'Flynn as she lay in bed at the home they shared in Newport, South Wales.
Cardiff Crown Court previously heard Parks had repeatedly punched the 79-year-old mother-of-three in the face as she lay in bed, then strangled her to death on 24 May 2022.
Parks also sexually assaulted Mrs O'Flynn, but his sentencing hearing was told it could not be determined whether this was before, during or after she died.
Parks appeared via video link at the Court of Appeal in London where arguments were heard challenging his sentence.
The case was dismissed by three judges on Tuesday.
Read more from Sky News:
Father dies after Swansea house fire which killed son, 3
'Disgust' after human faeces discovered in river
At the time of Parks' sentencing, Mrs O'Flynn's family paid tribute to a "loving mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother".
"Our mam was taken away from us in terrible circumstances, but we hope that today enables us to move forward as a family, hopefully with some closure. It's now time for us to grieve in private and try to move on with our lives," they said in a statement.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
