Man pleads guilty to murder after stabbing woman in Berkshire

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a woman in Berkshire.

43-year-old Emma McArthur was stabbed just before midnight on 1 April.

She then died in the early hours of 2 April at the junction of Crookham Hill and Burys Bank Road in Thatcham.

Christopher Joseph Minards, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged on 4 April.

Minards, who knew the victim, pleaded guilty on Thursday (5 August) ahead of a trial at Reading Crown Court to one count of murder and one count of possession of a knife, blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Sally Spencer, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a tragic case in which a man has stabbed and killed a woman whom he knew.

“Our investigation identified Minards as the person responsible for Emma’s death, and I am pleased that he has pleaded guilty at this stage and that her family do not have to go through the ordeal of a court process. I also hope that this helps them begin the process of moving on with their lives.”

Minards will be sentenced on 23 September.