Killer's family's new evidence claim

Clydach killer David Morris maintains his innocence

Relatives of the man convicted of killing three generations of the same family in south Wales have claimed there is fresh evidence which could help clear his name.

David Morris, 40, was given four life sentences in June for the murders of Mandy Power, 34, her daughters Katie, 10, and Emily, eight, and her mother Doris Dawson, 80.

Mandy Power and her daughters were victims

He has now been told that he will serve at least 32 years in prison.

The labourer denied carrying out the killings at Mandy Power's home in Clydach, in the Swansea valley, but was convicted after a lengthy trial.

Supporters of Morris, from nearby Craig cefn Parc, believe he has been wrongly convicted.

Relatives say new information has come to light which may mean he can take his case to the Court of Appeal.

A decision on whether that will happen is expected soon.

Lawyers for Morris originally lodged the appeal shortly after his conviction.

Advances rejected

During the trial, the jury at Swansea Crown Court heard Morris beat his victims with an iron bar before setting fire to their house.

He was angered after 34-year-old Mandy Power refused his sexual advances following a casual relationship, the court was told.

Patrick Harrington QC, prosecuting, said Mrs Power had been beaten 38 times with the murder weapon.

Eighty-year-old Doris Dawson was murdered as she lay in bed.

One of the children's bodies lay on the landing. Another was found in their bedroom.

Kitchen units

Morris was caught after a bloodstained gold necklace, ripped from his neck during the murders, was found in the house by forensic scientists.

Paint found on the jewellery exactly matched paint found on kitchen units at Morris' home.

The trial ended three years and a day after the murders were committed.

Morris was not arrested until nearly two years after the killings which took place in June 1999.

A memorial service was held in Clydach on Sunday, to remember the murder victims.