THE family of an Oswestry woman murdered by her partner in Cardiff say they were 'denied' the chance to save her after they were only told of a previous attack after he was jailed.

Lauren Griffiths, 21, was killed by Wrexham-born Madog Rowlands in April 2019, but speaking to BBC Wales Live on Wednesday, her mother Alison Turner and sister Elisha Griffiths said he had attacked her the previous year.

Viewers heard how in 2018, Rowlands was arrested for assaulting Lauren after the pair had decided on a suicide pact, according to a statement she made to South Wales Police.

He attacked her when she changed her mind but he was bailed and told not to contact her for three months; however, their relationship continued.

The family spoke about how they had been shown police bodycam footage of Lauren pleading for help and saying she did not want to die.

But they added that they were not made aware of the attack until after Rowlands was convicted of her murder.

Alison said: "We didn't know this had happened and I think that if we did know, then of course it would have changed things.

"She might have decided that she didn't want to be with him."

Elisha added: "We'd have probably gone there and got her, and wouldn't have taken no for an answer. We were deprived of an opportunity to save her.

"That needs to be changed. Lauren had a few mental health issues and if that's the case, then why weren't we informed?"

Alison said: "Someone has failed here – this wasn't supposed to happen."

Elisha described her sister as 'the best, super bubbly, so supportive and so encouraging' with her own style and full of kindness.

But she said that when she moved to Cardiff with Rowlands, it changed and said he controlled her.

She said: "One thing that we noticed was the way she dressed – it sounds superficial but I think it went deeper than that.

"She would wear his clothes and she lost her independence. She would always be so independent growing up, did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted and with whoever she wanted.

"But when she got into that relationship, it became the Madog show.

"I think there was a form of controlling with money, with her finances, as whenever anyone would specifically give money to Lauren, he would take it and put it in his pocket."

READ MORE:

South Wales Police told the programme that while the law allows for information be to disclosed to partners of prospective perpetrators, they are not allowed to 'proactively' share it with family members.

Elisha and Alison are fundraising for women and children affected by domestic violence and hoped to complete 31km by March 25 – Lauren's birthday.