Domestic abuse murderer sentenced to life imprisonment

A man who murdered his partner in the Cadoxton area has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mathew Pickering, 49, was found guilty of the murder of his partner Georgina Dowey Mayers after an 11-day trial heard at Swansea Crown Court. Pickering has today been sentenced to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum term of 17.5 years.

On the afternoon of the 6 May 2023, Pickering sent a text from his mobile phone to Georgina’s phone asking if she had arrived safely in Merthyr, knowing full well Georgina’s body was at his home.

The same afternoon Pickering visited a corner shop to buy bleach; this was captured on CCTV. Further CCTV sightings during the evening of 6 May showed Pickering disposing of items in a bin and again on the morning of 7 May where he was seen carrying a plastic bag and rucksack.

Georgina’s body was later found at Pickering’s home with injuries to her head, face and neck.

Nia Sturgess of the CPS said: “Georgina suffered extensive injuries for which Mathew Pickering could offer no explanation. CCTV and phone evidence revealed the lengths he went to in an attempt to cover up his crime. 

“The CPS takes domestic abuse extremely seriously and will prosecute cases whenever our legal test is met.

“Our thoughts remain with Georgina’s family and friends”.

Mathew Pickering was sentenced on 5 February 2024 to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum term of 17.5 years.