Murder accused admits sexual assault of victim

Paul Irwin previously admitted the manslaughter of Tiffany Render, but denies her murder

A man accused of murdering his on-off partner has pleaded guilty to sexual assaulting her, having previously denied the charge.

Paul Irwin, 50, denies murdering 34-year-old Tiffany Render but has admitted her manslaughter.

Carlisle Crown Court heard Miss Render bled to death at Irwin’s flat at George Street in Whitehaven, Cumbria, on 22 March after both had consumed alcohol and cocaine.

Jurors were told Irwin entered his guilty plea to sexual assault after advice from his legal team.

Irwin pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter on Monday and remains on trial accused of murder.

'Vulgar and unpleasant'

A pathologist had previously told the trial Miss Render died from a massive haemorrhage and had been subjected to "repeated blows", blunt force trauma and the use of "severe force".

In his closing speech, prosecutor Iain Simkin KC called it a "vulgar and unpleasant" case.

He said: "We know Irwin killed her. We know he unlawfully killed her.

"What remains for you to decide is: what was his intention at the time he killed her?"

For the defence, Peter Glenser KC stated Irwin and Miss Render had lived lives which were "chaotic, sadly".

There were "bad times but also good times in their 18-month relationship", he told jurors.

Ahead of their deliberations, Judge Mrs Justice Foster reminded jurors to "step aside from emotion" and weigh up evidence "coolly and dispassionately".

To return a guilty verdict, the judge said, they had to be "sure" that Irwin intended either to kill Miss Render or cause her really serious bodily harm.

The trial continues.