A "naïve" college student lied to police because he was "in awe" of a teenager who had murdered a doctor in Cardiff, a court heard. Lewis Newman falsely claimed Dionne Timms-Williams had stayed the night at his home after the homophobic killing of Dr Gary Jenkins.
The psychiatrist, 54, was kicked and punched to death in the early hours of July 20 last year in Bute Park. After being found guilty of murder Timms-Williams was locked up for at least 17 years while her fellow killers Jason Edwards and Lee Strickland will spend at least 32 years behind bars.
Newman, who was 17 at the time of the attack, did not know the then-16-year-old Timms-Williams had committed murder when he lied to police, Cardiff Crown Court heard on Thursday. He claimed she had only told him there was a "serious incident".
Read more: The smirking teenage killer who hurled abuse at doctor as she beat him to death
Prosecutor Nick Gedge said: "Mr Newman was identified as a potential witness in what was to become – but wasn't at that stage – a murder investigation. Initially the investigation was not for murder because Dr Gary Jenkins didn't die until August 5. It started as an investigation into an attempted murder and robbery. And on July 28, following the arrest of Dionne Timms-Williams, Mr Newman provided a statement to South Wales Police.
"He said he had been with Miss Timms-Williams between around 5pm and 9pm on July 19 in the area around Maindy leisure centre. He said they parted company at about 9pm and that he went home and the next time he saw her was at his home address at 2am the next day. He told police he had been sleeping at home and heard a knock on the door. On him opening the door she asked if she could stay the night. The following morning she thanked him for allowing her to stay the night and she said she had made his bed for him [he told police]."
Newman gave police the name of a person that Timms-Williams may have gone to see after she left him. Police investigations later revealed Timms-Williams had actually gone to that person's home after the attack and not to Newman's. Mr Gedge added: "The statement briefly led the investigation team away from other possible witnesses and possible forensic avenues of investigation. Mr Newman [later] said that on July 20 Miss Williams had asked him to say she stayed at his address the previous night if anyone asked because she had been in a serious incident. He said she had been vague and he only started to suspect she was involved in the death of Dr Jenkins when the news began be reported in the media."
Newman, of Ventnor Place in Mynachdy, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. His representative Susan Ferrier said he was a "naïve 17-year-old" who had "always been a fairly shy and introverted young man". She added: "When he went to college he was befriended, on the face of it, by Miss Timms-Williams and introduced to a group of friends, which was something of an excitement for this young man who had lived a life where he didn't socialise. Perhaps to an extent he was in awe of this woman."
Ms Ferrier said Newman, now 18, had been "used" by Timms-Williams to provide excuses on other occasions. "There was some misplaced loyalty from this young man, not realising at the time how serious the offence would be." She told the court Newman did not hold up the police "for any period of time really", adding: "He had never been in trouble before... He continues to live at home with his family who are supportive and decent people." Newman has been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks during the investigation into him, Ms Ferrier said. He is hoping to return to college in September and continue studying.
Passing sentence Judge Daniel Williams said Timms-Williams had asked Newman to lie in the hope of diverting police attention away from the person she really stayed with who was able to "undermine" her account of what had happened that night. The judge told Newman: "You had fallen out with her some time before and you say you were trying to make up with her by helping her out in this way. I am satisfied you had not believed she was not capable of involvement in such a crime."
Judge Williams pointed out Newman "did nothing" to correct the false account before his arrest but he conceded Timms-Williams had been "manipulative". He imposed six months in a young offenders unit suspended for 12 months. Newman must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a £128 victim services surcharge.
Dr Gary Jenkins was described as a "kind" and "compassionate" family man. You can read a tribute to the psychiatrist here.
