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Mathew Hardman
Born and raised in Amlwch, located on the scenic north coast of Anglesey, Mathew Hardman’s journey led him to Llanfairpwll in 1998, at the tender age of 13.
Coinciding with his move was a tragic event: that very year, his father, who had been living apart from his mother, succumbed to a massive asthma attack. Despite their physical separation, Hardman shared a strong bond with his father, and the devastating loss left him profoundly affected.
Mathew Hardman, recognized by his friends as a notably ordinary teenager, showcased talent in the field of art during his enrolment at the David Huws School in Menai Bridge. His artistic talent earned him a place at Coleg Menai in Bangor, where he embarked on an art and design course.
During the span of his adolescence, from ages 13 to 16, Hardman maintained a weekly routine of delivering newspapers, which included visits to Mabel Leyshon’s bungalow, the woman Mathew Hardman would murder.
At the age of 17, while deeply attending his art and design studies, Hardman’s focus took a dark turn towards ritualistic murder and an all-consuming fascination with vampires.
Hardman cryptically foreshadowed future events while talking with a teenage German exchange student living in the town. Hardman suggested that the town’s abundant elderly population could render it “an ideal haven for vampires.” He suggested that, should any of these individuals succumb to a vampire bite, their passing might conveniently be attributed to heart attacks.
it wouldn’t matter too much
Mathew Hardman if he killed a pensioner
Mathew Hardman had become obsessed by vampires and was convinced that a ritualistic murder was his only option to become one of the creatures.
Mabel Leyshon
Mabel Leyshon, a resilient 90-year-old widow, resided alone in a bungalow nestled within the Welsh village of Llanfairpwll. Despite her advanced age, Mabel retained a strong sense of independence and was an active member of the local church community.
On the evening of November 24th, Mabel Leyshon found herself comfortably settled in her armchair. The volume of the television had been adjusted to accommodate her hearing impairment. In this very moment, a tragic event unfolded. At the age of 17, Mathew Hardman broke into Mrs. Leyshon’s bungalow, launching a vicious assault from behind as she sat in her armchair. In a harrowing struggle for survival, the 90-year-old woman was subjected to a horrifying attack, enduring a total of 22 stab wounds.
The largest of these wounds, measuring almost eight inches in length and spanning nine inches in width, marred her chest. Following her death, Hardman proceeded to inflict deep lacerations upon her legs before draining her blood into a small saucepan from the kitchen. He then proceeded to drink the blood.
Departing the scene, Hardman orchestrated a macabre display. He arranged two brass pokers in a cruciform configuration at her feet, positioning a candlestick nearby on the floor, while a crimson candle delicately balanced on the mantelpiece.
The next day, during lunchtime, a compassionate volunteer arrived at Mrs. Leyshon’s residence, intending to deliver a Sunday meal. Upon receiving no response at the door and noticing a shattered rear window, the volunteer contacted the authorities.
The sight that awaited the arriving police officers was one of indescribable horror. Subsequent investigation revealed that Mrs. Leyshon had been seated in her customary chair, suffering numerous wounds, predominantly originating from behind. In her immediate proximity lay a saucepan containing a wrapped object concealed within newspaper.
It was only within the controlled environment of the mortuary that officers came to realise the unfathomable truth: the object was, in fact, Mrs. Leyshon’s heart.
Investigation
The Devil has been to Anglesey
Investigating Police Officer
In the days that followed, detectives identified footprints left at the scene to a limited edition pair of trainers. Only a few pairs had been sold locally.
While conducting routine door-to-door inquiries, officers spoke with Hardman. It was during this interaction that they noticed his distinctive footwear, prompting them to designate him as a person of interest.
Upon searching his bedroom, Police discovered an array of books, magazines, and online materials centred around vampirism and the occult.
The trainers he was wearing were seized by police when they visited his home that Saturday in January and they were sent for forensic analysis.
Through forensic analysis, it was established that the footwear matched the prints uncovered at the scene. Consequently, Hardman was taken into custody and placed under arrest.
Despite denying the charges against him, the jury was told a knife was found at his home with DNA matching the scene.
The trial heard he had told a 16-year-old student that Llanfairpwll was the “perfect location” for vampires, since many of its residents were elderly.
He was handed a life sentence on 2 August 2002 following a unanimous guilty verdict.
The horrific nature of this murder was plain to all. It was a vicious and sustained attack on a vulnerable old lady in her own home, aggravated by the mutilation of her body after she had been killed. It was planned and carefully calculated.
Mr Justice Richards
He was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison. Although, Hardman has alway argued his innocence.
In 2003, he lost an attempt to appeal the life sentence. He made another application to be released on parole in 2015, which was also rejected.
In 2023 a new application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, is now being reviewed.
The CCRC said: “An application has been received related to this case and a review is under way. It would be inappropriate for us to make further comment while this is taking place.”
It was also unable to say how long the review would take.