A Huddersfield mother-of-three, who tried to re-start her life in London, was viciously stabbed to death by a teenager she met in a local pub, a jury has heard.
Louisa Brannan, 35, formerly of Water Street, Springwood was found dead in the bath of her date’s blood-splattered flat with multiple knife wounds.
Reece Ludlow, 20, of Oakwood Court, Benhill Wood Road, Sutton has pleaded not guilty to murdering Louisa at the address on March 14, last year on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Woolwich Crown Court heard Louisa and Ludlow had met for the first time the night before at the Kings Arms pub, Mitcham and returned to his flat.
Prosecutor Mr. Adrian Derbyshire told the jury: “Once they were at the flat there was some kind of sexual contact between them and not long after she was subjected to a brutal attack that led to her death in the flat.”
The defendant called his ex-girlfriend at around 3am, confessing to the stabbing, the court heard.
“He said he had stabbed her with a little black knife and said she was bleeding from the neck, back, arms and legs,” explained Mr. Derbyshire.
“He said: ‘She’s in the kitchen and there’s blood everywhere’.”
Louisa was still fighting for her life during the phone calls and Ludlow’s ex heard her begging for help and saying: ‘I’m dying’.”
The defendant also called his mother, who tipped-off the police, but he had vanished by the time the emergency services arrived at the flat.
There was blood all over the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, where Louisa’s naked body was found in the tub.
Officers seized a frying pan – which Ludlow had probably struck the victim with – which had traces of blood and hair and a bloody knife was found in the kitchen and another blade on the floor.
A pathologist confirmed the cause of death as multiple stab wounds and found evidence of a blow on the side of Louisa’s head.
Ludlow was arrested six days later, drunk on a train at Victoria Station, but refused to answer questions when quizzed by police.
Trial continues……….
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