Son denies money row with victim

Darren Sutton denies 'falling out' with his mother over money

The son of a woman found battered to death in her own home has denied falling out with her over money shortly before she was murdered.

Darren Sutton, 44, told Swansea Crown Court he had not argued with Joyce Sutton, after the 65-year-old widow told him: "The well has run dry."

He was being cross-examined in the trial of Mrs Sutton's long-term partner David Henton.

Mr Henton, 72, of Neath, denies killing Mrs Sutton in January 2006.

Mr Sutton was first cross-examined last Friday, when the court heard he was a convicted rapist and had been arrested on suspicion of Mrs Sutton's murder before Mr Henton was arrested and charged with the killing.

Under questioning on Tuesday, Mr Sutton agreed both his mother and Mr Henton had been generous to him over a number of years but he had not repaid loans made to him even after receiving £14,000 in a divorce settlement.

He said not long before her death, his mother had told him: "You will not be getting another penny."

David Henton and Joyce Sutton were partners for 30 years

He denied this had made him angry or that it had led to a row.

He said: "There was no nastiness. She smiled when she said it."

He was questioned by Elwen Evans QC, defending Mr Henton, about when Mrs Sutton had said this, but said he could not remember.

Mr Sutton accepted in his evidence on Friday that he had said he could lose his temper, and that the one thing that could make him snap would be arguments about money.

He told the jury he had last seen his mother on the Sunday morning before she died. Mrs Sutton's body was found on Wednesday 11 January.

Score sheet

Mr Sutton agreed that "virtually every time" he played darts for the Legion B team in Skewen he would call in to see his mother.

He said he could not remember playing a cup match at the Royal Queen pub in the village on the Monday evening before his mother's death.

Ms Evans produced a photocopy of the score sheet kept by the captain of his darts team showing he had played a league match on the Monday night.

Mr Sutton said he could not recall the game. He denied going to his mother's home that night.

The jury has been told Mr Henton and Joyce Sutton had known each other for 30 years but lived at separate addresses.

Mrs Sutton was bludgeoned to death in bed, and the court has heard the investigation was a year old before police turned their attention to Mr Henton, who reported finding her body.

He has denied faking a break-in at the house. The trial continues.