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Jacqueline’s former partner Simon Matters told how Daniel Bartlam’s obsession with violent games and videos may have driven him to murder his mother.

Evil Bartlam battered his doting mum Jacqueline to death as she slept next to her younger son then torched her body in a bid to cover his tracks.

The 15-year-old is starting a minimum 16-year stretch behind bars after being found guilty of the hammer murder – a chilling copy of a killing in Coronation Street by twisted teacher John Stape.

45-year-old Mr Matters said the thug became addicted to disturbing websites with X-rated content.

The schoolboy also bought and sold violent and pornographic video games and DVDs.

Simon believes Bartlam may have been inspired to kill by what he watched.

(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

He said: “As soon as I found out Jacqui had been killed I knew instantly Daniel had done it.

“I wasn’t surprised at all by the murder but I was surprised by the brutality.

“The warning signs have been there since he was 11. In the three months leading up to the murder he made over 17,000 hits on different websites.

What he watched beggars belief. He viewed pornographic, incest and rape websites. He even looked up a site called ‘how to chloroform my little sister’.

“He was watching 18-rated DVDs and buying 18-rated videogames from pawn shops.

"How can a 13-year-old boy be allowed to buy these games? He was viewing this material from the age of 11. I saw stories he wrote at the age of 12 about killing people.

“I told Jacqui what he was doing, I told her what he was accessing, I warned her. But he is not my son so I could not discipline him.

“Most kids are able to distinguish between reality and fantasy, and most have an anger threshold.

“But he genuinely thought he would get away with it until he was found guilty. That’s why he shouted, ‘I’m going to appeal’ as he was led away.”

(Image: PA) (Image: PA) (Image: PA)

Dad-of-two Simon began dating Jacqueline after she split from her husband Adrian in 2005.

The couple lived separately but stayed at each other’s homes.

He became close to Bartlam and brother Dominic and gave evidence as a witness during the trial.

Simon, from Hucknall, Notts, added: “I don’t believe you’re born evil. He had good parents, good role models.

“Most kids get angry with their parents but most kids know when to draw back.

“He lived in a fantasy world. When he was arrested he made up another sister to the police.”

Simon, who works at a local football club, split from Jacqueline shortly before she was killed.

He believes Daniel should remain behind bars for the rest of his life.

He said: “He’s a very, very dangerous child. This wasn’t planned in 10 minutes, it was that was planned over several years.”