Teenager Sentenced to Life for Brutal Hammer Murder of His Mother
Tristan Thomas Roberts, an 18-year-old from Prestatyn in north Wales, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years and six months for the murder of his mother, Angela Shellis. The court heard how Roberts, who admitted to hating women, meticulously planned and executed the killing, recording the entire horrific event on a digital audio device.
A Chilling and Calculated Attack
On October 24 last year, Roberts lured his 45-year-old mother, a teaching assistant, to the Morfa nature reserve under the false pretence of seeking medical help for injuries he had inflicted earlier. CCTV footage captured the pair walking towards the isolated area, with Roberts carrying a rucksack containing a mini sledgehammer he had purchased on Amazon. Once there, he launched a brutal attack, bludgeoning Ms Shellis to death.
Just over two hours later, at around 5.35am, Roberts was seen returning home alone. He later left again with plastic bags, believed to contain bleach intended to clean the murder scene. His mother's body was discovered by walkers the following day in undergrowth beside a footpath near the reserve.
Boasting Online and Elaborate Planning
After the murder, Roberts logged onto the online messaging platform Discord and boasted about his actions. He posted messages stating, 'I've just had the craziest day', adding that he had 'beat the s*** out of her' and 'smashed her skull in so hard with a sledge hammer'. The court heard he used multiple aliases on the platform, where he had previously shared disturbing content related to murder, violence, misogyny, and his intention to kill his mother.
Roberts's planning was extensive and calculated. Immediately after turning 18, he legally purchased an arsenal of weapons, including knives, axes, and hammers, from online retailers and stores like The Range. He used AI search engines to research how to commit murder, asking for tips for a 'non-experienced killer'. When the AI tool refused to engage, he lied, claiming he was writing a book about serial killers.
The Final Hours and a Mother's Pleas
The attack began around 11pm on October 23, when Roberts assaulted his mother in her bedroom, hitting her with the hammer and strangling her. He held her prisoner for about four hours, brandishing the weapon. A continuous audio recording, lasting more than four-and-a-half hours, captured the events, including Ms Shellis pleading for him to call 999. Shockingly, she remained calm, even offering to 'back him up and say that he had not known what he was doing'.
Roberts then cynically convinced her to leave the house, pretending they were going for medical treatment. Instead, he led her to the nature reserve and attacked her with the sledgehammer. The recording, deemed too distressing to be played in court, captured her screams.
Failed Interventions and Family Anguish
Ms Shellis had repeatedly sought support for her son, expressing concerns about his mental health and his purchase of weapons. In notes on her phone, she asked, 'Why?? What does he need these for? Is he planning to hurt me, himself, what? Who? Why? FFS'. Her older son, Ethan, had installed cameras in the family home to monitor Roberts before returning to university.
In victim impact statements, Ethan said their mother had done 'everything' for Tristan and had 'put up with more than any mum should have'. He expressed being 'haunted' by anger and guilt, stating that the crimes had 'destroyed our family'. Ms Shellis's sister, Sarah Gunther, described her as a 'devoted' and 'fiercely supportive' mother who had 'fought tirelessly' for her sons.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
At Mold Crown Court, Judge Rhys Rowlands sentenced Roberts to life imprisonment. He noted that Roberts had 'revelled in the control you exerted over your own mother' and that his actions were 'truly awful'. The judge stated, 'You looked forward to inflicting pain' and 'enjoyed what you were doing', adding that the 'sheer cruelty' of the plot belied his young age.
Despite diagnoses of autism and ADHD, a psychiatric report found no evidence that these conditions impaired his ability to understand his actions or exercise self-control. Roberts pleaded guilty to murder last February and showed no emotion during the sentencing hearing.
Senior investigating officer Temporary Detective Superintendent Andrew Gibson said Ms Shellis 'showed tremendous bravery' and 'remained calm and continued to show her caring nature and love she had for Tristan, despite what must have been a terrifying ordeal'. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the 'elaborate and calculated' planning, noting Roberts showed no concern or remorse. A safeguarding review is likely to take place following the case.
