Heir to £230,000,000 pie fortune guilty of murdering best friend

The heir to a pie company fortune has been has been branded an ‘evil, manipulative liar’ after being found guilty of murdering his best friend on Christmas Eve.

Dylan Thomas, 24, killed his friend William Bush, 23, on December 24 2023 at their home in Llandaff, Cardiff.

Thomas initially denied murder and admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility, but was found guilty after a week-long trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

His grandfather is Sir Stanley Thomas, the founder of Peter’s Pies, whose net worth was estimated to be £230m in 2013.

Speaking outside Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, William’s mother Catrin Bush said: ‘We are relieved to hear today’s verdict of murder. We would like to thank the police, CPS, Mr Bull KC and Mr Wright for all their work and support over the last 11 months, and we are thankful that all of this hard work has led to the correct verdict today.

‘My family have been completely devastated by the brutal and senseless murder of our much loved Will, words cannot describe the the impact this has had on our family. However, it is not just us who have lost a son and a brother, Will’s girlfriend, friends and extended family have also lost someone who they loved very much.

‘Will was innocently getting ready to return back to Brecon to spend Christmas with us all when the attack took place, and instead of Will arriving at our door for dinner on Christmas Eve, it was Dyfed Powys Police to deliver the beyond devastating news.

‘We cannot even begin to comprehend the fear and suffering that Will endured on Christmas Eve last year, we will have to live with the hurt, grief, anger and upset for the rest of our lives. Dylan Thomas is an evil, manipulative liar.

‘Throughout this process, we have seen no evidence of any remorse or taken responsibility for his actions that day.

‘We can only hope that he will never be released back into the community.’

Detective Inspector Rebecca Merchant, senior investigating officer in the case, said: ‘William Bush was a much-loved son, brother and boyfriend with a bright future ahead of him, which included moving in with his girlfriend and starting a new job.

‘On December 24 2023, as he looked forward to spending Christmas with his family and girlfriend, he was killed by someone he regarded as his friend, having done nothing to warrant the brutal violence inflicted upon him.

‘Our thoughts today, as they have been throughout the investigation, are with William, his family and girlfriend.’

Thomas was remanded into custody, with Trial judge Justice Steyn telling the court sentencing would be passed on December 16.

She paid tribute to the professionalism of the police officers and emergency services who tried their best to help Mr Bush.

Mrs Justice Steyn thanked the jury for their work over the last week.

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