Man jailed for Magor caravan park fire and murder

A man has been sentenced after being found guilty of the murder of Richard Thomas in December 2021.

Darren Smith, aged 43, from Knollbury, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years after being found guilty of the murder of Richard Thomas in December 2021.

He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court today, Friday 13 January.

Smith was convicted, in November last year, of murdering the 52-year-old at the Beeches Residential Caravan Park where they both lived.

Detective Chief Superintendent Nicky Brain said: “Darren Smith has shown no remorse for his crime and actively tried to mislead officers as they investigated the circumstances of Richard Thomas’s death.

“The catalogue of evidence gathered by the investigation team and presented to the jury ultimately led to Smith being found guilty.

“During this trial the family have heard distressing details about their loved ones’ death and our thoughts remain with them, I hope the conclusion of the case brings them some closure."

The family of Richard Thomas has released this statement following todays’ sentencing: “Richard was a much-loved son, father, brother, brother-in-law, nephew, cousin, uncle, and a fond, firm friend to many, locally and much further afield.

“No one can adequately put into words the disbelief, pain and anguish we have suffered as a family following Richard's death, a horrific period of our lives that is with us daily and will stay with us for the remainder of our days. We’ve no doubt the effects will last for several generations of the Thomas family.

“Richard’s untimely passing has left us broken, the man responsible will never be able to comprehend the impact that his actions and moronic behaviour is having on our family and Richard’s many friends. Our lives will never be the same again. There is but a modicum of comfort in the knowledge that this violent and dangerous individual is behind bars and will not be able to inflict the pain and heartbreak we feel, on another soul.”