Man admits murdering pregnant girlfriend with scissors

Ailish Walsh was found dead at her home Rectory Road in December

A man has admitted murdering his pregnant girlfriend with a pair of scissors.

Liam Taylor, 37, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to killing Ailish Walsh, 28, who was 22 weeks pregnant when she suffered more than 40 puncture wounds.

She was found at her home on Rectory Road in Hackney, east London, on 15 December after what was described as an "exceptionally brutal" attack.

The victim's father afterwards found her unconscious and covered in blood.

She was covered with a high-visibility jacket with the defendant's bank card in the pocket.

A pair of bloodied scissors was found nearby as well as two dumbbells.

CCTV footage captured Taylor, of Hornsey, north London, entering through the communal entrance to the building at 20:36 GMT and leaving at 21:14.

Drink and drugs

Five minutes before he left, a female friend had phoned the victim and heard sounds of screaming and fighting in the background.

She had got in contact after Ms Walsh sent her messages to say she was trying to get Taylor out of the flat because he was taking drugs, the court heard.

Taylor, who had cocaine, cannabis and alcohol in his system, was arrested at his home early the next morning.

As he was taken into custody, he told police: "It's crazy how one moment of madness can change your whole life."

The court heard Taylor had previous convictions for attacking female members of his family.

He was jailed for 12 months for assaulting his mother with a metal pole and cautioned for headbutting his sister when she was 16.

A sentencing date will be set at a court hearing on 10 May.

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