Killer's girlfriend treated in hospital

Three generations of the family died in the attack

The partner of Clydach murderer David Morris took an overdose within hours of him being jailed for life for the brutal killings.

Mandy Jewell, 33, who was also the best friend of Mandy Power, gave evidence in defence of Morris during the 11-week trial which found him guilty of the massacre of a south Wales family.

The Powers's Kelvin Road home was burnt out in the attack

But as Morris spent his first night in prison as the convicted killer of two women and two girls, his live-in girlfriend was admitted to hospital after taking an unknown number of pills.

It is thought she took too many beta blockers and had to be monitored by doctors and was discharged from Swansea's Morriston Hospital on Saturday morning.

Morris's sister, Deborah Morris, confirmed Ms Jewell took the overdose after hearing the jury return a unanimous verdict that he was guilty of killing Mandy Power, 34, her disabled 80-year-old mother and her daughters Katie, 10, and Emily, eight.

Ms Jewell spoke in her partner's defence at Swansea Crown Court even though the jury heard she was frequently a victim of his violence at their home in nearby Craig Cefn Parc.

Morris was found guilty of the four brutal murders

She had first told police that Morris was at home with her at 11pm on the night of the killings in June 1999 but later admitted he did not come home until the early hours.

When Morris was arrested, she said there was no blood on his clothing on the night of the killings.

And she denied that he had been wearing the gold chain which was a crucial piece of evidence linking Morris with the scene of the massacre.

Giving evidence in court she said: "If I knew anything about it I would tell you.

"My daughter Emma is the most important person in my life and I would not risk losing her for him, especially if he had done something like that."

She is said to be distraught at the verdict against her partner.

David Morris's sister, Deborah, after the crown court verdict

The prosecution showed Morris embarked on an "orgy of savagery" with an iron bar at the family home in Kelvin Road when bi-sexual Mrs Power rejected his demand for sex.

They heard that Mrs Power had begun a lesbian affair with Mrs Lewis and did not want to sleep with him again.

The effect of the trial - the court heard each victim had suffered multiple head injuries - is thought to have taken its toll on Ms Jewell.

A family member said: "She has been in a terrible state. She never thought Dai did it but now he is behind bars for life.

"It has been a terrible strain but she stood by her man. It's all been too much."

Mrs Power's lesbian lover, former police officer Alison Lewis, 35, also tried to commit suicide on the day that the brutal killings were discovered.

She tried to jump out of her bedroom window at her home in Pontardawe, but was prevented by friends and her husband Stephen.