A MAN has admitted stabbing four members of the same family to death – but denied it was murder.
Joshua Jacques pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of NHS worker Dolet Hill, 64, her partner Denton Burke, 58, their daughter Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, and granddaughter Samantha Drummonds, 27.
The 28-year-old attacked three generations at Ms Hill's terraced home in Bermondsey, South London, on Monday April 25.
Police had been called to a disturbance at the property in Delaford Road in the early hours of the morning and forced entry.
They found Mr Burke's body at the foot of the stairs and those of the three women in the kitchen.
They had all suffered numerous stab wounds with one or more knives and were pronounced dead at the scene.
READ MORE IN NEWS
Charles gets kiss on the cheek as he joins thousands outside Buckingham Palace
I met the smiling Queen two days before she died – here’s what she said to me
Officers then discovered Jacques hiding naked in the upstairs bathroom.
He was Tasered during his arrest and taken into custody at Brixton police station.
Jacques, from Minard Road, Lewisham, South East London, was subsequently charged with four counts of murder.
On Friday, Jacques appeared for a plea hearing at the Old Bailey before Judge Richard Marks KC.
Most read in News
Poignant moment Harry is consoled by airport staff & boards flight to Windsor
Selfridges and Legoland among shops and attractions CLOSED to mark Queen's death
New titles for Harry and Meghan's kids confirmed after death of the Queen
Will schools close? Major update as nation mourns the Queen
He denied four charges of murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
The prosecution indicated that the pleas to the lesser offence would not be accepted by the Crown and the case would go to trial.
Following the tragic event, a Gofundme page, set up to help pay for funeral costs, said the family had been left "truly heartbroken".
Ms Hill had been happily married to council worker Mr Burke for 15 years and had worked in the NHS for more than 20 years.
Ms Ofori-Akuffo was a nurse, supported her mother in charity ventures and was described as "a doting wife, caring mother and a great friend".
Her daughter Samantha was "an upbeat, fun-loving, bubbly young lady who adored her grandmother Dolet", the family said.
Source: Read Full Article
