In a disturbing incident, a man brutally murdered his girlfriend by using a broom handle to inflict catastrophic internal injuries. Carl Silcox, aged 45, committed this heinous act against Adell Cowan, aged 43, at his residence in Caerphilly on October 18, 2020. The insertion of the broom handle into her anus caused severe injuries that tragically led to her death.
The broom handle, stained with Ms. Cowan’s blood and excrement, was discovered at the crime scene. Additionally, traces of the defendant’s semen were found, as reported by Wales Online.
After the murder, Silcox contacted emergency services from a public telephone booth and claimed to have found Ms. Cowan lying lifeless and cold in the bedroom. In Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that the victim had not only suffered internal injuries but also injuries to her face.
Initially, the defendant, residing on Commercial Street, Aberbargoed, alleged that Ms. Cowan had been assaulted by a group of young individuals. However, he later changed his account and informed the police that she had been working as a prostitute and that one of her clients was responsible for her injuries. On Friday, a jury dismissed Silcox’s claims and found him guilty of murder.
During the trial, prosecutor Gordon Cole KC stated, “In this case, the Crown say Carl Silcox unlawfully killed Adell Cowan.” He explained that Ms. Cowan struggled with alcohol addiction and lived a chaotic lifestyle. At the time of her death, she was in a relationship with Silcox and resided with him in Dol Yr Eos, Mornington Meadows.
Around 12:10 a.m. on October 18, 2020, Silcox called 999 from a phone booth and tearfully informed the operator, “I just woke up and my missus is dead. I am Carl Silcox, I have just come to the phone box now, I have lost my mobile phone.” However, he refused to return to the property or perform CPR on Ms Cowan. He described her as lifeless, and cold, and speculated that she may have choked on her own saliva.
Upon arriving at the scene, emergency services determined that Ms. Cowan had been deceased for several hours. They also observed facial injuries, including bruising and swelling, as well as rib injuries.
A post-mortem examination revealed severe internal injuries, including a 2.8cm by 1.4cm tear in the rectum that extended to a four-and-a-half centimeter tear in the peritoneal lining. The victim also had a laceration in her spleen and pelvic lining.
Describing the circumstances, Mr. Cole stated, “The death of Adell Cowan was in a state of trauma and alcohol. The death was described as having occurred in close association with the event of forceful anal penetration and rectal perforation by that wooden broom handle.”
Upon the return of the guilty verdict, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, expressed gratitude to the jury for their diligent attention to the case. She also acknowledged the conduct of Ms. Cowan’s family and friends during the trial.
Defense barrister John Benson KC requested an adjournment of the sentencing to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Addressing Silcox, Judge Lloyd-Clarke stated, “You have been convicted of murder, the sentence must be one of life imprisonment. I must determine the minimum term before you can apply to the parole board for release.” Sentencing is scheduled for July 7.
