Shropshire Star

Man admits murdering midwife found in shallow grave

Michael Stirling pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court.

Published
Samantha Eastwood

A man has admitted murdering midwife Samantha Eastwood, whose body was found buried in a shallow grave a week after she was reported missing.

Michael Stirling pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court on Monday to murdering the 28-year-old who was found wrapped in a duvet with tape around her eyes and face.

Stirling, the brother-in-law of the Miss Eastwood’s ex-fiance John Peake, appeared via video link as her mother and sister watched from the public gallery.

After Stirling entered his plea, his barrister Charles Miskin QC, said: “This was not a pre-meditated act.

“The context of the killing was a background of growing tension arising from a longstanding, but not particularly intense affair.”

He said that on the afternoon of the killing “various things were said” between the two, “which led to him becoming very angry”.

Mr Miskin added: “There was an argument in that context and that led to him being very angry.

“After a struggle and while she was on the floor, he put his hands over her throat, her mouth and nose, and as a result of that she died.”

Mr Miskin said: “During his intense rage, he originally intended to cause her really serious bodily harm, but matters escalated and he carried out the intention to kill her.”

Her body was found in a rural area near Caverswall, Staffordshire, in August.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.