Murderer admits beating ex-girlfriend to death

Stephen Todd changed his plea and admitted killing Melissa Eastick

A man has admitted beating his ex-partner to death over a period of several days.

Melissa Eastick, 36, had more than 100 injuries including broken bones, extensive bruising and cigarette burns when she was killed in Sunderland in October 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Stephen Todd, 41, had denied murder but changed his plea after the first day of his trial.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

The trial heard the pair were both alcoholics and had been in a "turbulent" relationship since 2018, although they had broken up before the fatal attacks.

Prosecutor Peter Glenser KC said it was believed Ms Eastick, who was "frail and vulnerable", moved in with Todd in August having previously been homeless and spending time in a refuge.

Melissa Eastick was murdered in Sunderland in October last year

On 17 October, Todd called 999 to say Ms Eastick was unconscious and not breathing, Mr Glenser said.

Paramedics found her lying in a dark room with no light bulb at Todd's home on Stockton Terrace in Grangetown and quickly realised she was dead.

The prosecutor said she had sustained about 123 injuries inflicted over the course of up to a week and the fatal blow would have "rendered her profoundly unconscious for some days before her death".

Melissa Eastick was murdered at Stephen Todd's first-floor flat in Grangetown

The last recorded sighting of her was going to a nearby Asda with Todd to buy food on 2 October, the court heard, and no injuries were visible.

Four days later, Vodafone made a recording of a two-minute sales call to Ms Eastick's mobile phone which was the "last proof of life", Mr Glenser said.

She was "never seen or heard of after that", he added.

Todd admitting murdering her some time between 1 October and 18 October.