A teenager has today admitted in court to murdering his teaching assistant mother, whose body was discovered by walkers near her seaside home in north Wales.
Guilty Plea Entered at Mold Crown Court
Tristan Roberts, aged 18, appeared at Mold Crown Court where he formally pleaded guilty to murdering Angela Shellis on October 24 last year. The brief hearing did not elaborate on the specific details of the killing, but confirmed the solemn admission of guilt.
Discovery of the Victim
The body of 45-year-old Angela Shellis was found by walkers in undergrowth beside a footpath near a nature reserve in Prestatyn, north Wales. Described by devastated relatives as having 'a heart full of love and kindness', she worked as a teaching assistant at Rhyl High School.
Police Investigation and Arrest
When Roberts first appeared in court, prosecutor Julia Galston noted that he had 'vulnerabilities'. The victim's sister had reportedly been growing increasingly worried for her safety prior to the incident.
Police attended Roberts' home in Prestatyn, where he had barricaded himself in a room. Upon his arrest, he asked officers: 'Was the body you found my mum or not?' North Wales Police stated that Roberts was quickly identified as a suspect and was arrested at his home address before being charged with murder four days later.
CCTV Evidence and Circumstances
CCTV footage captured the teenager and his mother leaving the family home and heading towards the nature reserve in the middle of the night, with Roberts carrying a rucksack. Later, a Ring doorbell and CCTV recorded him returning alone.
An inquest opening heard that Ms Shellis suffered severe blunt force head trauma. The tragic discovery has left her family and community in profound grief.
Tributes to a Beloved Teaching Assistant
Following her death, heartfelt tributes poured in for Angela Shellis. Her sister, Sarah Gunther, expressed the family's devastation, saying: 'She was only 45 years old and such a lovely, happy person and loved by anyone who met her. She had a heart full of love and kindness, always put others before herself. Losing her so suddenly has left our family devastated and struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.'
Philip Collins, headteacher at Rhyl High School, described her as 'caring and committed', adding: 'Angela was a valued member of staff, who joined the Rhyl High team in 2023 and was a caring and committed teaching assistant. We are deeply upset as a school community and hold Angela's family and friends foremost in our thoughts, as they try to come to terms with their loss.'
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During the hearing, Roberts, with shoulder-length black hair, wore a blue jumper and dark trousers in the glass-fronted dock. A trial had been scheduled for last month, but after a psychiatric report was discussed with him by his defence team in the cells, he entered his guilty plea.
Judge Rhys Rowlands remanded the teenager back into custody, stating: 'There can only be one sentence for the offence of murder. The fact you have pleaded guilty will be reflected in the sentence.' Roberts will receive a life sentence, with the minimum term to be determined at a hearing next month.
