S18E03 | Canon Alun Jones (Llanberis, Gwynedd, 1982)

In October 1982, the peaceful village of Llanberis in North Wales was shattered by an unthinkable crime - the local rector had been found brutally murdered in his own home.

Canon Alun Jones was a well-respected clergyman, known for his dedication to the Church and his quiet, compassionate presence within the community. But behind the doors of the rectory, a violent and frenzied attack had unfolded - one carried out not by a hardened criminal, but by a troubled 15-year-old boy.

As the investigation progressed, disturbing details began to emerge. This was a murder driven not by impulse alone, but by fear, resentment, and a misguided attempt to escape the consequences of a life spiralling out of control.

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Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
Arrest threat over inquest. (1982, October 25). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1.
Blonde, skinhead fugitive. (1989, October 20). Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald, 7.
Boy (15) denies murder. (1983, February 23). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 3.
Boy denies brutal killing in rectory. (1983, March 22). The Scotsman, 2.
“Boy tried to shift blame for killing.” (1983, March 23). Liverpool Echo, 5.
Canon’s will. (1983, January 29). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 5.
Davies, I. (1989, October 6). Rectory murderer escapes from jail. Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald, 3.
Escaped killer is still free. (1989, November 15). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 16.
“EVIL” KILLER FLEES JAIL. (1989, October 2). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 1.
Glanfield, E. (2015, September 22). Dangerous murderer who killed vicar in his rectory with a billiard cue is taken into custody 24 hours after he “failed to return” from unescorted leave from mental hospital. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3245092/Dangerous-murderer-killed-vicar-rectory-billiard-cue-loose-failing-return-unescorted-leave-mental-hospital.html
Jôb, A. (1990, February 9). Escaped - but still in prison. Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald, 1.
Killer phones home. (1989, October 3). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 3.
Murder charge. (1982, October 7). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 3.
Murderer in custody after going missing. (2015, September 22). Sky News. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://news.sky.com/story/murderer-in-custody-after-going-missing-10345470
Nationwide hunt for missing murderer Richard Bracken. (2015, September 22). BBC News. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-34324913
Rector battered to death. (1982, October 6). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 15.
Rector found dead. (1982, October 6). Cambridge Daily News, 6.
RECTOR MURDER. (1982, October 7). Edinburgh Evening News, 9.
Rector murder charge dropped. (1982, December 10). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 13.
Rector “murdered in brutal attack.” (1983, March 21). Aberdeen Evening Express, 5.
Rector victim of brutal killing. (1982, October 6). Coventry Evening Telegraph, 9.
Rector’s attacker “relentless.” (1983, March 21). Coventry Evening Telegraph, 1.
“Sex fear” of accused boy. (1983, March 25). Manchester Evening News, 4.
Still on the run. (1989, October 13). Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald, 3.
TV hunt for killer. (1989, November 9). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 3.
Vicar killer Richard Bracken release was “right” - commissioner. (2015, September 23). BBC News. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-34338085
Village pays tribute at parish priest’s funeral. (1982, November 5). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 9.
Waddington, M. (2015a, September 22). Missing murderer is “evil” Richard Dennick who brutally killed vicar in Llanberis. North Wales Live. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/murderer-richard-bracken-dennick-llanfairfechan-10109312
Waddington, M. (2015b, September 22). Missing murderer Richard Dennick is found in London. Wales Online. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/missing-murderer-richard-dennick-found-10111687
Williams, G. (1982a, October 6). N Wales rector found murdered. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 1.
Williams, G. (1982b, October 7). Two accused of rector’s murder. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 1.
Williams, G. (1982c, October 29). Stab wound killed elderly rector. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 13.
Williams, G. (1982d, December 24). Murder charge boy for trial. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 3.
Williams, G. (1983a, March 22). #Boy’s plot ended in Rector’s death’. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 3.
Williams, G. (1983b, March 23). “Why I refused the blame for murder.” Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 3.
Williams, G. (1983c, March 24). Killing “was not part of plan.” Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 3.
Williams, G. (1983d, March 25). “Nightmare” at rectory. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 9.
Williams, G. (1983e, March 31). The angel-faced killer. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 13.
Williams, G. (1994, January 1). Church fails in murder site rectory appeal. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 6.
Wyn-Williams, G. (2015, September 23). Village will “never forget” brutal murder of vicar. North Wales Live. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/village-never-forget-brutal-murder-10120126
Youth denies killing rector. (1983, March 21). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 5.