Man changes plea to guilty during murder trial

Chris Hemming will be sentenced on 21 July

A man who denied murdering his ex-partner in what police described as a "brutal" stabbing has changed his plea part way through his trial.

Chris Hemming, 47, of Other Road, Redditch, killed Cheryl McKenna, 44, at their home.

Worcester Crown Court heard earlier that Hemming had called police on the morning of 11 November 2024 stating he had killed her.

Hemming changed his plea five days into the murder trial, and will be sentenced on Monday at the same court.

In a previous statement Ms McKenna's family said: "Cheryl was a huge and integral part of our family and will be missed terribly as a mother, daughter, sister and aunt,"

Det Ch Insp Gareth Lougher of West Mercia Police said: "I would firstly like to pay tribute to Cheryl's family who have lost a mother, daughter, sister and aunt, at the hands of someone who was once supposed to love and protect her.

"Hemming is a dangerous and manipulative individual, and will soon face sentencing for his deplorable and remorseless crime."