**Dean Mears Convicted of Murdering Rhyl Grandmother in Her Own Home**
A harrowing court case reached its conclusion this week, as Dean Mears, 34, of Kinmel Bay, was found guilty of the murder of Catherine Flynn, a beloved grandmother, in her Rhyl home. The verdict, delivered at Caernarfon Crown Court, followed a nine-day trial that explored the details of a crime that has shaken the local community.
Catherine Flynn, aged 69, lost her life in October of last year after Mears broke into her home on Cefndy Road. The court was told that Mears subjected her to a brutal assault, stamping repeatedly on her face. Although Mears admitted to manslaughter, he pleaded not guilty to murder, claiming memory loss about the events of that night.
Prosecutor Andrew Jones KC outlined to the court the extent of the violence Mrs Flynn suffered, describing how the attack occurred after Mears had broken into the property. During intense cross-examination, Mears was questioned about his intentions, with a focus on whether he intended to kill Mrs Flynn. His responses were vague, claiming he could not recall his actions or motives during the assault.
After just over four hours of deliberation, a jury of twelve delivered a unanimous guilty verdict. Emotions in the courtroom ran high as the decision was announced, with audible reactions from the public gallery. Mears, dressed formally, maintained his composure, showing little emotion as the outcome was revealed.
Presiding over the proceedings, Judge Rhys Rowlands addressed Dean Mears directly. He expressed profound sympathy for the loss suffered by Mrs Flynn’s family and commented on the particularly distressing circumstances surrounding the case. The judge described Mrs Flynn as exceptionally vulnerable, noting that she had been murdered in the supposed safety of her own home—a setting that should have been secure. He added: “Any loss of life is tragic, but this was a truly horrific crime. Only you know why you behaved the way you did.”
During the trial, it was disclosed that Mears had consumed a combination of ketamine, cannabis and, earlier, cocaine before the incident. Judge Rowlands suggested that the defendant may have broken into the wrong house whilst intoxicated but emphasised that only Mears could explain this fatal error—an explanation yet to be offered.
Significantly, the case was brought to light due to modern technology. Mrs Flynn’s daughter, Natasha, was alerted late in the evening on 24th October by her mother’s Ring doorbell camera. Shockingly, she witnessed the shattering of glass as Mears forced entry into the house. The court heard distressing audio recordings that captured a brief exchange, followed by a sequence of approximately fifteen loud thuds, illustrating the rapid escalation of violence.
Despite the emergency services’ efforts, Mrs Flynn succumbed to her extensive injuries—including severe facial trauma, brain injuries, and multiple fractures—at hospital the following day. Throughout the proceedings, her family members have been commended by the judge for their dignified conduct under unimaginable circumstances.
Since the tragedy, Catherine Flynn has been fondly remembered by loved ones as a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and a valued friend to many. Those close to her described her as the heart of her family and community—a woman who touched the lives of all who knew her.
Dean Mears is set to be sentenced at a hearing scheduled for 20th June. The judge confirmed that a life sentence would be imposed, with the minimum term yet to be determined. The community anxiously awaits closure, hoping the sentence will reflect the gravity of this devastating crime.
The murder of Catherine Flynn has left a deep scar on her family and the wider Rhyl area, prompting renewed discussions about safety and the consequences of substance abuse. As legal proceedings conclude, remembrances of Mrs Flynn highlight both the senselessness of her death and the resilience of those left behind seeking justice in her memory.