BETTY DEATH: HUSBAND GUILTY
Jury finds Jordan guilty of murder after he stabbed his wife in heart
A MAN has been found guilty of murdering his wife at her home in Bangor.
Elizabeth Jordan was stabbed in the heart by her estranged husband Paul Martin Jordan at Trem y Garnedd in Maesgeirchen on July 31 last year.
The 54-year-old BT worker Paul Martin Jordan had denied murdering Mrs Jordan, who was known as Betty and was pronounced dead in hospital after she was found seriously injured in her bedroom.
Flanked by security guards, Jordan showed no emotion in the dock as the jury foreman announced the unanimous verdict.
Family and friends of Mrs Jordan, a 53-year-old mum-of-two, sat in the public gallery, and there were gasps of “yes” and expressions of relief as the verdict was announced.
The couple’s daughter Clare broke down in tears and was comforted by other family members.
Thanking the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence in reaching their verdict, Judge Rhys Rowlands said he would not sentence Jordan immediately.
He said: “You have been found guilty of the murder of your wife.
“There can be only one sentence for murder and you will be sentenced to imprisonment for life.
“In order to determine the minimum period before you can apply for release on licence, I do need further information.”
The judge said this included victim impact statements from members of Jordan’s family and his wife’s family in Ireland about the effects of the crime and the impact on their lives.
Jordan was remanded in custody until May 21, when he will be sentenced. The 54-year-old had admitted the manslaughter of the mum-of-two on the basis of diminished responsibility.
During the six-day trial, the jury heard the couple, who were separated, had enjoyed a day out at Chester Races together just two days before Mrs Jordan was murdered.
At about 8.30am, Jordan had left his rented flat in Ffordd Siabod in Y Felinheli to “finally rid himself of the problem he perceived he had with his wife”.
He believed Mrs Jordan was having an affair with another man and intended to kill his estranged wife and possibly himself, the jury heard.
At the house, he went to the kitchen, selected a knife and went upstairs.
After checking his daughter’s bedroom and saying “Hi” to her boyfriend, he went into his wife’s room and stabbed her once while she lay in bed, the jury heard.
A pathologist said Mrs Jordan died of a single stab wound delivered with “moderate force” to the upper chest, which penetrated the left lung and the heart.
Jordan then left the house and drove to Porth Penrhyn where he stayed for several hours before heading back to Felinheli. Alerted by paramedics, the police were looking for Jordan and arrested him on the outskirts of the village.
The jury were told the couple, who were together for 30 years, had a “strained” relationship, with frequent arguments taking place.
Mrs Jordan had made a complaint to police of an assault by her husband in March 2016.
Just weeks before his wife’s death, Jordan had been referred to mental health services following the death of a close friend.
This had resulted in Jordan returning to drinking alcohol.
He believed his wife was having an affair with one of his former workmates.
But the court heard police had found no evidence that Mrs Jordan was having an affair.
Jordan’s lawyers claimed he was suffering from a delusional disorder which impaired his ability to think coherently.
A defence psychiatrist said Jordan had gone to the house not to inflict harm but to destroy her mobile phone which was said to be “the bane of our lives”.
The defendant chose not to give evidence on his own behalf during the trial.