Prestatyn Teenager Sentenced to Life for Brutal Hammer Murder of His Mother
Tristan Thomas Roberts, an 18-year-old from Prestatyn, has been handed a life sentence after admitting to the brutal murder of his mother, Angela Jane Shellis, 45. The horrific crime, which involved a hammer and was meticulously planned over several weeks, culminated in Ms Shellis being found dead in undergrowth near Morfa nature reserve on October 24 last year.
Details of the Premeditated Attack
The court heard that Roberts began plotting the murder at least three weeks in advance. He purchased hammers, knives, and protective clothing online and spent hours researching murders. The attack itself commenced around 11pm and lasted until 3.30am, during which Roberts recorded the ordeal on a voice recorder. Clips from these recordings were deemed too distressing to be played in court.
Ms Shellis, a teaching assistant at Rhyl High School, suffered a blunt force head injury that proved fatal. Roberts attacked and strangled her while she remained conscious, aware of her son's intentions. In the recordings, she is heard pleading with him to call 999 for help.
Deceptive Actions and Aftermath
Following the assault, Roberts led his mother through a railway line under the guise of taking her to town for medical attention, but forced her to wear a balaclava. In an isolated area, he produced a hammer and struck her multiple times, with one blow shattering her skull. He then dragged her body about 100 metres and left it in undergrowth.
In a bid to conceal the crime, Roberts later sent messages from his mother's phone to create the illusion she was still alive. He had 16 different accounts on Discord, where he posted about his plans, including references to an American Psycho-style murder and seeking revenge to move forward in life.
Investigation and Arrest
North Wales Police quickly identified Roberts as a suspect, arresting him at his home address on the same day his mother's body was discovered. He was charged with murder four days later. Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers confirmed the cause of death as severe blunt force injury, with around six hammer blows to the head and signs of strangulation.
Impact on the Family
Tributes poured in for Ms Shellis, described by loved-ones as a lovely and happy person. Her sister, Sarah Gunther, expressed the family's devastation, stating, Losing her so suddenly has left our family struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss. Rhyl High's headteacher, Philip Collins, remembered her as a caring and committed teaching assistant.
Ethan Roberts, Ms Shellis' other son, shared in a statement that the impact was unbearable, leaving him with overwhelming grief and anger. He said, I am a shell of the person I was. The most important person in my life is now gone.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
At Mold Crown Court, Roberts pleaded guilty to murder. Defence barrister David Elias KC acknowledged the horror of the crime but highlighted Roberts' youth, having turned 18 just 10 days before the offence. He noted diagnoses of autism and ADHD, a traumatic childhood with physical abuse, and signs of psychosis in assessments from 2024/25, with a severe mental health decline noted in August 2025.
However, the judge emphasized that Roberts showed sheer cruelty and reveled in the control over his mother, with no abnormality of functioning at the time of the crime. The judge stated, Mental issues cannot diminish your culpability. Roberts was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years and six months, reduced to 22 years and 34 days due to time already spent in custody. He will be subject to licence for the rest of his life.
