Man pleads guilty to Thatcham murder
A woman in her forties was stabbed to death earlier this year
A man has been convicted of murder following the death of a woman in Thatcham earlier this year.
35-year-old Christopher Joseph Minards, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty 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.
On 1 April this year, Minards stabbed 43-year-old Emma McArthur, whom he knew, at about 11.46pm.
She was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, at about 12.50am on 2 April, at the junction of Crookham Hill and Burys Bank Road.
A murder investigation was launched and Minards was charged on 4 April.
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.
“It was a violent attack, which resulted in Emma dying despite efforts to save her by the emergency services.
“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.