Man admits killing wife in Burton Latmier home on day his trial was due to start
Paul Knight strangled his wife while their two daughters were asleep upstairs, but initially denied the attack
A 36-year-old man has admitted killing his wife at their home in Burton Latimer, after previously denying her murder.
Paul Knight appeared at Northampton Crown Court today (8th January) to change his plea to guilty
Knight killed 32-year-old Isobella "Izzy" Knight on 13th June last year.
According to investigators, he strangled her inside their house on Donnington Road while their daughters were asleep in bed.
The following morning, Knight asked his mother to look after the children, claiming he and Izzy were unwell.
Once the children were collected, Knight made unsuccessful attempts to end his life before crashing his car in the car park of a local McDonald’s restaurant.
Police officers responding to the crash became suspicious of Knight’s behaviour, prompting a search of his home.
Izzy’s body was found inside the property, and Knight was arrested and charged with murder.
In the days following Izzy’s death, her family paid tribute to her in written statements.
Her mum Helena described Izzy as “beautiful, inside and out” and shared memories of her as a loving mother, a talented artist, and a devoted friend.
“I want everyone to know that Izzy was so much more than a victim,” Helena wrote.
“She will never ever be forgotten, and we will make sure her girls grow up knowing what an incredible person she was," she added.
Her dad Tim remembered Izzy as “wonderful” and said her love for her children was evident in everything she did.
“When I think of Izzy, it’s as a mum,” Tim said.
“She encouraged her children to find their talents, and now as her family we will keep her memory alive for them.
We will stand side by side and say to them ‘this is your mum, and she was brilliant and wonderful, and she loved you so much’, just the way I have always loved her.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said: “This is a tragic case of violence against a woman who had everything to live for and I am pleased Paul Knight has finally decided to tell the truth and admit to his wife’s murder.
“It is clear to see through the words written by her parents that Izzy was an incredible woman with so many positive qualities and so many reasons to live.
“Her life was cut short by a man fuelled by jealousy and thoughts only for himself.
He has left two daughters without a mother and there is no sentence that could ever make up for that.
I am glad that Izzy’s family do not now have to go through further pain in the form of a trial and my thoughts remain with them at what continues to be a very difficult time.”
Knight will face sentencing later this month, on 29th January at Northampton Crown Court.