'Jealous' man who murdered 'devoted' dad outside SPAR sentenced

Maurice Jones, 25, attacked Tsvetomir Genov (TG) outside the SPAR in Gainsborough Close, Bemerton Heath, In Salisbury on August 22 last year.

Jones confronted 20-year-old Mr Genov as he was walking his young son back to his mother's flat which belonged to Sinead Hughes, who Jones was in a relationship with at the time.

A short-lived argument broke out on the corner of Gainsborough Close before Jones reached for a large kitchen knife which he had concealed under his trousers. Jones proceeded to stab Mr Genov at least ten times.

A jury took just an hour and 20 minutes to reach a guilty verdict on June 14, following a two-week-long trial in Winchester Crown Court.

On Thursday, July 18, Jones was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court.

READ MORE: Maurice Jones to be sentenced for Bemerton Heath murder

Maurice Jones has been jailed for life (Image: Wiltshire Police)

'He was a very good man, will be hugely missed' 

Judge Timothy Mousley said: "I've heard a great deal about TG during the trial, heard he was a very good man, will be hugely missed. 

"He was of course a devoted father. The family came to the UK from Bulgaria and settled here eventually in Wiltshire and they were looking forward to a better life but their lives will never be the same again.

"When he went to meet you after you spoke on the phone together on the 22nd of August 2023 he thought he was going to have a fair fight with you.

"You knew that wasn't going to happen, you only had one intention in mind. Having sat through the trial and today I cannot detect any trace of genuine remorse in you. 

Bemerton Heath dad Tsvetomir Genov (Image: Family)

'You were intent on removing Mr Genov from his son's life'

"[TG's son] witnessed it. He would've heard his mother's screams and his father shouting. Recently Miss Hughes has noticed a change in him. He struggles to sleep and cries at night. He doesn't seem to be the happy little boy he was."

The judge continued: "You are a very jealous man and you were intent on removing Mr Genov from his son's life.

"This was a murder borne out of your completely unfounded feelings of jealousy and your violent nature.

"You are 25 now, you have some mental health issues notably low intelligence; that provide little to any excuse in your actions of killing Mr Genov."

Jones was handed a life sentence for the murder of Mr Genov. He must serve at least a minimum of 30 years before he can be considered for parole. 

He was also given a four-year concurrent sentence for possessing a bladed article.