Heir to pie fortune admits killing his friend but denies murder

An heir to a £230m pie fortune today admitted to killing his former housemate on Christmas Eve in a horror knife attack, but will face trial after denying murder. 

Dylan Thomas, 24, is accused of stabbing William Bush, 23, to death after he was found with multiple wounds to his neck and body. 

Thomas, the grandson of pie and property tycoon Sir Stanley Thomas, admitted manslaughter over William's death but denied murder.

Thomas spoke only to say his name and enter his pleas as he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court via video link from Ashworth High Secure Hospital.

But prosecutor Greg Bull KC said the pleas were not acceptable to the Crown and Thomas will stand trial next week.

Mr Bush, 23, was found dead on Christmas Eve close to a string of popular boutique shops and independent businesses when it was packed with last minute shoppers.

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Following Mr Bush's death police appealed for potential witnesses to come forward who may have been in the shopping or car park area behind Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff at the time.

An inquest earlier heard officers from South Wales Police were called to their home in Llandaff, Cardiff, to reports of a stabbing.

Coroners' officer Beverley Morgan told the hearing that on Christmas Eve last year police were contacted by members of the public who told them that there had been a 'stabbing incident'.

Multiple officers arrived at the scene and immediately performed CPR after finding Mr Bush injured in Chapel Street car park next to the city's landmark Llandaff Cathedral.

Paramedics arrived and Williams was taken two miles to the University Hospital of Wales. But he never recovered.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Dr Richard Jones at the University Hospital of Wales recorded a provisional cause of death as multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk.

William's family - English teacher father John, 61, mother Elizabeth, 63, sister Catrin and brother Alexander - have paid tribute to the keen rugby player and golfer.

The family, who live in Brecon, South Wales, said: 'Our beloved Will was taken away from us in such a cruel and indescribable way.

'Will was such a loyal, funny and caring son, brother and boyfriend.'

William, who was working as a surveyor with a commercial property firm, and Thomas had attended the private Christ College in Brecon.

The pair were regarded as best friends and moved into together in a terraced house jointly owned by Thomas' grandparents and Welsh rugby great Sir Gareth Edwards.

Thomas, a computer programmer, is the grandson of Sir Stanley Thomas, 82, who was knighted in 2006 for his charity work and services to business.

His father, also called Stanley Thomas, started selling meat pies in Merthyr Tydfil in the Welsh Valleys.

The business, Peter's Savoury Products, was sold for £75million in 1988.

His family also owned a fifth share of the TBI group, which owned several airports, including Cardiff.

Area coroner for south Wales central Patricia Morgan told the inquest opening on Tuesday that she could not set a date for a full inquest.

She told the hearing that 'due to the ongoing investigation arising from this matter' she needed to suspend the inquest until police inquiries are complete..