A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Sabrina Cooper, in Eastbourne.
Tony King, 60, of Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on today (Thursday, May 18), charged with the murder of 68-year-old Sabrina just before Christmas last year.
Police and paramedics were called to her home in Connaught Road, Eastbourne, around 6.45pm on Sunday, December 18. It was initially thought that she had fallen down the stairs, but it was quickly established that she had suffered five stab wounds to her torso, which resulted in her death.
A review of her phone suggested recent contact with King, who was an acquaintance, and he was arrested at his home on suspicion of her murder in the early hours of the following morning. Crime scene examiners found blood-stained clothing in a washing machine and in the lounge of the one-bedroom flat.
During interview, King admitted to Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team officers that he had murdered Sabrina and provided further information that led to the recovery of a single-edged kitchen knife, which was subsequently identified as the murder weapon.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, senior investigating officer, said:
"Our thoughts are with Sabrina's family and friends who were shocked at this senseless and apparently motiveless murder.
"King admitted the offence in interview soon after he was arrested, but subsequently pleaded not guilty to murder at court hearings in December and April, unnecessarily extending the process for those grieving her death.
"I would like to acknowledge the professional and thorough work of my colleagues in bringing about the early arrest in the case and for their dedication in bringing the investigation to this conclusion."
King, who had also pleaded guilty to the possession of a knife in a public place at an earlier hearing, will be sentenced on June 23.
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