‘Violent struggle took place at death hotel’
The scene of a “violent struggle” has been described to jurors at the inquest of a brutally murdered young woman and her killer.
Police officers told the hearing yesterday that they found a broken vase and shards of porcelain scattered across the floor in a hostel room being used by Matthew Christopher Williams.
Sergeant Andrew Rees – one of the senior officers called to the scene at the Sirhowy Arms, in Argoed – also described how one of his officer’s trousers were “blood soaked” when he arrived at the scene where Cerys Yemm died in the early hours of Thursday, November 6, 2014.
Newport Coroner’s Court also heard evidence from force incident manager Inspector Karen Evans, who was based in the control room when a 999 call was made by the proprietor of the Sirhowy Arms, Mandy Miles.
She told the jury that the operator had informed her that a murder had been reported.
The caller, Mrs Miles, had described how a “screwdriver” was used on the victim’s face and her attacker was “eating” his victim.
The jury heard that Inspector Evans authorised the use of Tasers to allow officers to “protect themselves and others from violence of such severity”.
The inspector added: “I knew it might escalate so I sent a firearms unit as part of the initial response.”
The firearms unit was later stood down en route after Inspector Evans learned that Williams had been “Tasered and cuffed”.
Yesterday jurors also heard evidence from three paramedics who were called to the scene.
“I understood there was a very hostile situation going on at the time and for our own safety we were kept outside the building,” Welsh Ambulance Service operational team leader Paul Whyatt said.
The witness described making his way to the room and told the jury he did not have any immediate concerns about Williams, nor did he think he needed any emergency medical assistance.
Mr Whyatt said he noted that the Taser had hit Williams between the eyes, and a police officer said to him: “Yes, it was a very good spread.”
The jury heard that during a previous incident where Williams was Tasered, he had pulled out the barbs and said to officers: “Come on then, you b ******* .”
Mr Whyatt described carrying out a vital check on Williams and said he recorded a “strong, normal pulse”.
But the paramedic added: “After a very short period his respiratory rate dropped from 16-10 and pulse from over 100 to 80 beats per minute.
“Which is still in normal levels, but there was a deterioration in Matthew that needed to be assessed.”
He added that Williams became “pale” and this may have been caused by a drop in blood pressure.
The jury heard that Williams was lifted and strapped to an ambulance chair and taken to a waiting ambulance.
Mr Whyatt said: “His body became limp and he wasn’t as rigid as he was on the floor.
“I’d say Matthew was in a semi-conscious state at that time.”
The inquest heard that resuscitation attempts lasted for 20 minutes before Williams was pronounced dead in the ambulance.
An opiate-reversal agent, adrenalin and a defibrillator were also used.
Last week police officers told the jury that they rushed to the Sirhowy Arms Hotel, in Argoed, after owner Mandy Miles dialled 999, screaming and crying and telling them that there had been a murder and that Matthew Williams, 34, was “eating” 22-year-old Cerys Yemm.
The inquest heard that a Taser was used three times on Williams, who later died.
The inquest in is set to last for between three and four weeks.