A MAN has admitted to killing his partner's mother and attempting to kill his girlfriend.
Damian Homer, of Haresfield Close in Worcester, admitted to murdering 61-year-old Wendy Francis and attempted to murder after appearing in Worcester Crown Court today (Thursday).
The 50-year-old had attacked Wendy and another woman, aged 38, with a knife at a house on Haresfield Close in Worcester following an argument on March 2.
Wendy, who was his girlfriend’s mum, died at the scene and the 38-year-old woman was seriously injured but survived.
Adjourning the case to a date to be fixed, Judge Rupert Mayo told the court: “I am not going to sentence today – there are two main reasons.
“The first is the defendant should be here. I am not prepared to pass sentence for an offence as grave as this on the videolink. However expedient that might be, it’s wrong. He (Homer) needs to be here.
“Secondly, I am told the psychiatric report has only recently been made available.”
Addressing Homer directly, the judge added: “I will be sentencing you at some stage between now and the 27th of August.
“There is only one sentence I can pass and that’s one of life imprisonment. I have to decide the minimum term before you can be considered for parole.
“I will decide that at the later date when I have had a chance to read all of the documents that have been provided to the court, including the psychiatric report.”
Homer is known to have previously received a suspended prison sentence for an assault on his partner committed in June 2020, which left her with a chipped tooth and a cut above her eye.
A murder investigation was immediately launched by West Mercia Police, and Homer was charged with murder and attempted murder two days later.
Detective chief inspector Leighton Harding, senior investigating officer, said: “I’m pleased that Homer has pleaded guilty today so that the victims and families do not have to re-live this nightmare in court.
“This was a horrific and brutal attack which has caused life-long trauma for those involved.
“I’d like to commend Wendy’s family and his second victim for the immense courage and composure they have shown since the incident and throughout court proceedings.”
Wendy’s family paid tribute to her the day after her death, describing her as ‘much loved’ and ‘one in a million’.
Homer has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on a date yet to be confirmed.
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