How would you react if you found a stranger in your bed? What if that stranger was a 71-year-old woman who had entered your home by mistake, believing she was in the right place?
On a summer evening in 2022, that is exactly what happened to David Redfern in Barmouth, North Wales. Margaret Barnes had mistakenly entered his home and gone upstairs to bed, unaware that she was in the wrong house.
What followed would leave Margaret dead and Redfern convicted of her murder.
A Fatal Mistake
Margaret Barnes was a 71‑year‑old grandmother from Birmingham, England, who had lived a full and contented life. She left school at 15 and spent twenty‑five years working as a packer at Cadbury’s. In retirement, she enjoyed needlework, dancing, and travelling with her husband, Raymond, to places as far‑flung as China and Cape Verde. Married for fifty‑six years, she was a devoted mother to Simon and Natalie, a grandmother to four, and a great‑grandmother to one. Her family and friends described her as warm, sociable, and deeply loved.
In early July 2022, Margaret travelled alone to Barmouth in Gwynedd, North Wales, for a short seaside break with friends and acquaintances. On the evening of Sunday 10th July, she enjoyed a relaxed night out with good food and good company. A friend had arranged accommodation for her at the Wavecrest B&B on Marine Parade.
As the evening ended, Margaret walked back along the street towards her lodgings. She was unfamiliar with the area, had been drinking, and many of the properties along the parade looked alike. At around 10:10 pm, slightly disoriented, she mistakenly entered the unlocked home of David Redfern, a 46‑year‑old IT worker who lived on the same road. The Wavecrest B&B was just a few doors away, and Margaret genuinely believed she was in the right place.
Carrying her small suitcase, Margaret walked inside. After finding no one in the hallway to greet her, she went upstairs and got into the bed in Redfern’s room.
A Tragic Confrontation
Redfern and his partner, Nicola Learoyd-Lewis, were watching television in another room. They had been drinking throughout the day, with Redfern consuming six or seven pints and a gin and tonic. Redfern, who was renovating his five‑storey home into a hotel, was under significant stress due to a medical condition that had led to the suspension of his driving licence.
At around 10:45 pm, the couple went upstairs to bed. Finding their bedroom door locked, they used a spare key to enter — and discovered Margaret lying in their bed, partially undressed, drinking a gin and tonic, and smoking. Her false teeth were on the bedside table and her suitcase lay open on the floor.
Redfern initially asked her calmly what she was doing there, but Margaret, still disoriented, became agitated. At 10:52 pm, Redfern called the police to have her removed. According to him, Margaret reacted angrily when she learned the police had been contacted and accused Nicola of stealing her handbag. She then lunged at Nicola, triggering a confrontation that escalated rapidly.
Redfern was 6’1″, weighed 22 stone, and was twenty‑five years younger than Margaret. Known for his volatile temper, he lost control. In a fit of rage, he kicked or stamped on Margaret with such force that her injuries were later compared to those seen in high‑speed car crashes. She suffered extensive internal bleeding, three broken ribs, a fractured neck, and a catastrophic liver injury described by the pathologist as “unsurvivable.”
After the assault, Redfern dragged Margaret down the stairs by her ankles and threw her suitcase into the street. She lay at the bottom of the stairs, bruised and gravely injured.
In contrast, Nicola supported Margaret and helped her outside. Redfern, however, showed no compassion. He sat outside and watched as Margaret fumbled around in pain, trying to gather her belongings.
Neighbours who heard the commotion came out to help, while Nicola stayed by Margaret’s side and desperately tried to comfort her as she lay dying in the street. One neighbour reported that Redfern taunted Margaret, called her a “lying cunt,” and laughed while making crude sexual jokes. Margaret lay on the ground for two hours, repeatedly calling out for her husband as her condition deteriorated.
When a neighbour asked Redfern to call an ambulance, he refused. After the neighbour called one themselves, Redfern was recorded saying:
“I wouldn’t have called an ambulance. I would have dragged her down to the beach.”
Due to a nearby firearms incident, police were unable to attend. As Margaret’s condition worsened, the ambulance operator instructed those present to perform CPR. Nicola could be heard pleading, “Please don’t die.” Margaret was declared dead at around 2:00 am on 11th July 2022. CCTV captured her saying, “I’m sorry,” shortly before she died.
Legal Proceedings
David Redfern was arrested and charged with murder.
During the trial at Caernarfon Crown Court, the prosecution highlighted Redfern’s history of anger issues and argued that his reaction was wildly disproportionate. They said his inability to control his temper had led to a senseless act of violence.
Redfern denied murder and claimed he had acted in self‑defence. He showed no remorse and attempted to blame Margaret, forcing her family to endure a two‑week trial in which the details of her injuries and final moments were examined in painful detail.
Margaret’s family delivered emotional victim impact statements. Her daughter, Natalie Barnes, told the court:
“Every morning, we wake up struggling to cope with the fact that we will never see her again. My dad and my brother can’t come to terms with the fact that Mum called out for them as she was dying, but they were unable to help her. It has literally destroyed our family.”
Ultimately, on 29th March 2023, the jury found David Redfern guilty of murder. Justice Charles Bourne sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years.
Following the sentencing, Rhian Jones of the CPS said:
“David Redfern’s reaction to the mistake was unjustified and completely out of proportion to the situation.”
Sources
BBC. Barmouth: David Redfern jailed for murdering woman, 71.
BBC. Barmouth murder accused told partner he didn’t mean to kill.
BBC. Barmouth: Man accused of murdering woman denies boasting.
CPS. Man sentenced for murder of older woman who wandered in to his house.
North Wales Chronicle. Gwynedd man sentenced for murdering 71-year-old grandmother.
Sky News. David Redfern sentenced for the murder of Margaret Barnes.
