THE heartbroken brother of a Blackwood man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Newport earlier this week has paid tribute to his sibling who “lived life to the full”. 

Rhys Jones, 36, who was originally from Pontllanfraith, was pronounced dead at the Royal Gwent Hospital following the incident at Clarence Place at around 8pm.

The father of two was much loved in the community and had only moved into Clarence Place just six weeks before his tragic death.

Paying tribute to his outgoing brother and speaking about receiving the news of his death, Dean Jones said: “He was lovely and would always put love you at the end of every text. 

“He was outgoing with a great sense of humour. He lived life to the full

“He’s not just an anonymous person – he has a lot of friends. It was very difficult to accept and hard to believe until we saw the body on Thursday.”

Mr Jones, 42, said that the man charged with his brother's alleged murder was his next door neighbour.

He said: “That’s the ironic thing – it was all going so well and he was really happy there.

“That sort of place suited him down to the ground. It was a nice place and he always had company.

“He was fine and happy in that building.”

Rhys Barnes, 28, has been charged with murdering Rhys Jones in Clarence Place, Newport, on Tuesday evening.

Barnes, who lives at the Solas homeless charity facility in Clarence Place, appeared in custody before Newport Magistrates' Court yesterday.

No plea was entered and, represented by solicitor Paul Morris, he spoke to confirm his name and address.

Newport magistrate Gillian Rogers remanded Barnes in custody to appear at Newport Crown Court on Monday.

Rhys Jones is survived by his brother, Dean; his father, Daryl; his long-term partner, Sarah; his son Liam, 11; his daughter Shakyah; his step daughter, Tiara; his step mother, Karen and his sister in law, Claire.