Two Swansea Men Stand Trial Over Alleged Plot to Hire Hitman, Both Decline to Testify
Legal proceedings have continued at Merthyr Crown Court where two men from Swansea, Paul Lewis and Dominique Saunders, stand accused of conspiring to arrange the murder of Lewis’s former wife. The trial centres on an alleged plot to employ a contract killer, a scheme which the prosecution asserts was agreed between the two neighbours, yet never resulted in physical harm to the intended victim, Joanne Atkinson-Lewis.
Despite the gravity of the charge, both men have chosen not to give evidence in court. Their legal representatives confirmed that neither defendant would be taking the witness stand, nor would they be calling any witnesses on their behalf. This tactical decision leaves the prosecution’s case and the defence’s opening statements as the primary elements for jury consideration.
According to the prosecution, the alleged conspiracy unfolded between February and April 2023, with Lewis and Saunders purportedly striking an agreement to have Ms Atkinson-Lewis killed. The prosecution claims that Lewis paid Saunders £1,500 to facilitate the arrangement. The alleged plot emerged in the aftermath of Lewis’s ten-year marriage ending, an event suggested by prosecutors as the catalyst for the supposed conspiracy.
Critical to the prosecution’s case are a number of text messages exchanged between the defendants. In these communications, Lewis allegedly expressed his desire to have his ex-wife “out” of his life, referencing phrases such as “death becomes her” and alleging that he paid in “good faith” for the crime. Additionally, messages reportedly show Lewis seeking proof—possibly video footage of the attack—while also commenting on sightings of Joanne, confirming her wellbeing at specific times.
The digital trail does not end there. The jury has been made aware of internet searches allegedly conducted by Saunders, which included queries related to firearms, shooting ranges and direct searches connected to the victim’s home address. However, the prosecution’s narrative is juxtaposed with the unusual aftermath: Lewis later accused Saunders of scamming him, claiming he was defrauded rather than serviced by his neighbour. This accusation eventually led to the police being called and the dispute referred to as a civil matter.
Personal testimonies from Lewis’s son, Keiran, and his partner, Sidney West, featured prominently in court. They recounted visiting Lewis’s flat due to mounting concerns over his mental health. During their visit, Keiran confronted his father with the explosive question of whether he had actually paid someone to kill his ex-wife. Both witnesses testified that Lewis responded by breaking down emotionally, with Sidney West recalling that Lewis acknowledged, albeit reluctantly, the implications of his actions.
Further complicating the proceedings, medical records showed that Lewis had endured prolonged hospitalisation for mental health challenges in the years leading up to the alleged incident. Defence barristers highlighted this vulnerability, arguing that Lewis was susceptible to exploitation and may have been set up as an easy target for financial deception rather than being an active conspirator.
John Hipkin KC, representing Lewis, urged the jury to question whether someone genuinely intent on conspiracy would subsequently alert the authorities claiming to have been defrauded, or pursue legal avenues through small claims court to recover the so-called ‘hitman’ fee. Hipkin described his client as a vulnerable individual who, whatever his intentions, was the victim of a con, with Saunders allegedly absconding to Benidorm with the £1,500.
For Saunders, John Harrison KC dismissed the notion of a real agreement, arguing that searching for information online and taking a holiday did not amount to conspiracy. He pointed to the absence of any evidence linking Saunders to an actual hitman or proving that any contact had been made.
Judge Mr Justice Nicklin has since instructed the jury to treat the case jointly: their verdict must determine the guilt or innocence of both men in unison. The trial of Paul Lewis, 54, and Dominique Saunders, 35, from Fishmarket Quay, Swansea Marina, continues, with both men continuing to deny charges of conspiracy to commit murder.
This case draws attention not only to the seriousness of conspiracy charges, but also to the difficulties courts face in distinguishing between criminal intent and vulnerability to deception within complex personal circumstances. The public and legal observers alike will await the jury’s decision with keen interest, as the full facts and motivations remain hotly contested.