DRAMATIC TWIST IN PADDOCK STEPDAD MURDER TRIAL
A man accused of murdering his stepfather dramatically changed his plea to guilty midway through his trial.Wayne Thornton, 52, of Paddock, had previously admitted the manslaughter of 79-year-old John Uttley but denied murder.
On day four of his trial at Leeds Crown Court, Thornton changed his plea.
In a dramatic twist his counsel Mr Alastair McDonald QC told the court: “It is our application please that the indictment be put to Mr Thornton.” The murder charge was subsequently put to the defendant again, and he pleaded guilty.
Thornton told police in interviews that he smashed his skull with a hammer.
The defendant will be sentenced this afternoon.
