Steven Wales, 61, told a judge "have a good day" after pleading guilty to preventing the lawful and decent burial of Paul Smith, whose body was found in a wheelie bin. Wales appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, accused of the offence after Smith's body was discovered two days after he is believed to have overdosed in a bath.
Background of the case
Smith, a dad-of-five who set fire to a house killing an elderly couple in a revenge attack in St Helens, was said to have spent July 20 last year at a house on Coniston Street in Everton taking a range of drugs, including heroin, cocaine and several sedatives. An inquest last month heard that the 40-year-old is believed to have overdosed in the bath, with water found in his lungs.
The coroner's proceedings heard that his death was not reported to authorities until July 22, when Wales, of Pope Street in Bootle, phoned police and said Smith "had died in the bath". When officers arrived, they found Smith dead inside the bin at the back of some derelict properties.
Court proceedings
Sitting to the side of the crown court, Wales, with cropped dark hair and wearing a black top, said: "I understand, guilty please," when the charge was put to him. Judge Brian Cummings KC confirmed sentencing would take place on Tuesday, August 18 because a victim impact statement was not yet available. Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, had earlier confirmed that "a number of [Smith's] family members wished to contribute".
Judge Cummings confirmed Wales, who brought a large black bag into court, would be released on unconditional bail until sentencing. The judge added: "All options remain open including the possibility of an immediate custodial sentence so you must come on the next occasion ready for all options." Wales, unsupported in court, told the judge: "Have a good day, your honour" when told he could leave.
Discovery of the body
Smith's body was found a week after he carried out the fatal arson attack. His brother, Michael, had reported him missing the day before. Smith, who lived on Lower Breck Road, had last been in contact with a family member on July 19. Senior coroner André Rebello told the inquest: "I understand his body had been removed from the bath and then to the rear of a different property."
Related arson attack
A trial earlier this year heard how Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died following an arson attack at their home on South John Street in St Helens on July 15, 2025. Kevin Weetman, Kylie Maynard and Lee Owens were convicted after the trial, but the jury was told that the man who carried out the attack, Smith, had died.
Smith, known as "Smigger", had travelled to the scene with Owens, with the jury told the intended victim was Jackson's son, George, who sometimes lived at the house. Weetman was said to have planned the attack after George Jackson refused to sell drugs for him. Weetman was jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years, Maynard was jailed for 23 years, and Owens was sentenced to 13 years and six months.
Investigation and cause of death
Following Smith's death, Merseyside Police launched a murder probe, but the inquest heard the investigation was later closed. While water was found in his lungs, a pathology report found it nearly "impossible" to prove a third party was responsible, or that drowning was the cause of death due to the "significant level" of drugs in his system. Dr Matthew Lyall wrote: "Neither can it be entirely excluded that the deceased was held under water by a third party, but pathological findings cannot prove that occurred." Smith's medical cause of death was given as mixed drug toxicity.
