Holland-on-Sea man, 85, admits murdering wife at their home

Essex Police said Berry subjected his wife to a violent attack

An 85-year-old man has been told he faces a life sentence after admitting to murdering his wife at their home.

John Berry, of Turpins Close, Holland-on-Sea, Essex, initially denied murder but changed his plea to guilty on what would have been the first day of his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Edna Berry, 80, was found with a serious head injury on 21 February.

Berry was released on conditional bail and was due to be sentenced on 5 January 2024.

Judge Christopher Morgan told him: "The court must impose a life sentence."

A provisional post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as serious head injuries.

Berry, of Turpins Close, Holland-on-Sea, changed his plea to guilty on what would have been the first day of his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court

Essex Police described it as a violent attack and said Berry made the 999 call to the emergency services.

Det Ch Insp Ant Alcock said: "Edna's family have been understandably deeply affected by this incident and have handled themselves with humbling dignity throughout this investigation.

"My thoughts, first and foremost, remain with them today."