January 26, 2022 1.45 pm This story is over 26 months old

Defence case begins for Louth man on trial for double murder of ex and her child

Defence relies on evidence of a forensic psychiatrist
Alleged murder victims Bethany Vincent (26) and her son, Darren Henson (9). Daniel Boulton (R) has been charged with their murder.

A man accused of murdering his ex-partner and her nine-year-old son will not give evidence during his trial.

Daniel Boulton, 30, admits the manslaughter of his former girlfriend Bethany Vincent and her son, Darren Henson, but denies their murder.

Ms Vincent and Darren, known to his family as DJ, were both found stabbed to death at their home in High Holme Road, Louth, shortly after 8pm on May 31.

It is alleged Boulton carried out the murders after walking 28 miles from his hostel in Alexandra Road, Skegness.

Daniel Boulton. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Boulton was prevented from seeing Ms Vincent by a restraining order but had continued to contact her and sent more than 900 messages on the weekend before the stabbings.

A jury at Lincoln Crown Court heard Boulton’s defence to the murder charge relies on the evidence of a consultant forensic psychiatrist who conducted two interviews with him.

Flowers, candles and photographs were laid by a tree as a vigil was held in memory of alleged Louth murder victims Bethany Vincent and her nine-year-old son Darren Henson. | Photo: Graeme Whitworth

Experts for the defence and prosecution agree Boulton was suffering from a dissocial personality disorder, but the prosecution argue Boulton was still capable of carefully planning the killings.

The jury have to decide if Boulton was suffering from an abnormality caused by a recognised mental condition which substantially impaired his ability to exercise self control.

The site of Daniel Boulton’s arrest at Hubbard’s Hills in Louth. | Photo: Jon Aron

Defence psychiatrist Dr Pablo Vandenabeele told the jury there was a history of Boulton having contact with mental health services at various times going back to 2004.

“It is longstanding and complex,” Dr Vandenabeele explained.

Dr Vandenabeele said he spoke to Boulton for four hours and found him both “quite boastful of violence” and lacking in empathy.

“His lack of feeling for others was very pronounced,” Dr Vandenabeele told the jury.

Floral tributes have been left at High Holme Road, Louth. | Photo: John Aron

Dr Vandenabeele said Boulton also typically blamed other people for his actions including Ms Vincent, DJ and DJ’s father.

When asked about his childhood years, Boulton told Dr Vandenabeele he was repeatedly expelled from school and also bullied.

Boulton also described his father as a “football hooligan who drank too much”.

There was also some evidence of mental health issues in other members of Boulton’s family, Dr Vandenabeele said.

Officers have been taking flowers on behalf of the community to place outside the scene of the crime. | Photo: John Aron

And Boulton also admitted to binge drinking from the age of the 13, gambling with sums up to £1,000 and taking cocaine a few months before the killings.

“He told me he had been suffering from mental health problems most of his life,” Dr Vandenabeele told the jury.

Boulton said he jumped in front of car in 2017, and had been involved in hundreds of fights.

When asked about his employment record, Boulton told Dr Vandenabeele he began working at the age of 25, and held a variety of short term jobs, including working in an amusement arcade, but had last worked in 2019.

Boulton described his relationship with Ms Vincent as “difficult”, and said she was not clear about the future of their relationship.

The trial continues.

Read more from the trial: