Shrewsbury man killed best friend in frenzied knife attack
Wednesday 30th November 2011, 9:01PM GMT.
A knifeman who this afternoon admitted stabbing his best friend in a ‘frenzied’ attack in Shropshire had killed his sister in a hammer attack more than 20 years ago, it was revealed today.
Steven Churchill, 52, of Stephenson Drive, Shrewsbury, stabbed his friend Jane Edwards more than 50 times because he believed God told him she was a witch, Stafford Crown Court heard today.
The court was also told Churchill killed his sister Lynn Painter, 24, in a ‘ruthless’ hammer attack in 1985.
Churchill was due to stand trial for Miss Edwards’ murder. But he changed his plea to guilty in court.
Mr Roger Smith, prosecuting, told the court Churchill planned to kill 59-year-old Miss Edwards at her flat in Caradoc View in Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, on December 14 last year.
He said after the attack Churchill calmly poured himself a drink and had a cigarette before a taxi took him into Shrewsbury where he had a meal and won some money at a betting shop.
It emerged in evidence Churchill underwent periods of psychiatric treatment after he admitted his sister’s manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility at a court in 1986.
It was while he was being treated at Shelton Hospital in Shrewsbury that he met Miss Edwards, who was herself having treatment, and the two became friends.
Judge Mr Justice Holroyde said he would sentence Churchill this afternoon.
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