Dramatic twist in Charlie Jeans trial where he is accused of murdering mum-of-three Samantha Murphy

There has been a dramatic twist in the courtroom this afternoon where Portsmouth man has been on trial for murder.

A man on trial for the murder of mum-of-three Samantha Murphy has now finally confessed to the brutal killing - and been warned that he will face a life sentence.

After a week of trial proceedings, Charlie Jeans has taken to the dock today (June 15) where he changed his plea to guilty after initially denying murdering his 32-year-old partner.

The court previously heard how Samantha’s body was found at an address in Wadham Road, North End, Portsmouth on June 5 last year.

The trial was due to restart at 11am this morning but the court was adjourned until 2pm. It was then confirmed an application had been made for the charges to be read out again so a new plea to be entered.

Following this, Judge Adam Feest KC advised the jury they had to confirm whether they agreed with the altered plea, with deliberations taking place in the courtroom. They unanimously confirmed Jeans was guilty of murder.

Judge Feest KC told the jury: “You have now heard the defendant has admitted his guilt.

“I will now decide the appropriate minimum sentence. With any offence of murder, there is a life sentence. I will decide what the appropriate time is before you can apply for bail”

Earlier in the trial, Prosecutor Joanna Martin KC told the court that Jeans, 31, from Margate Road, Southsea, went on the run after murdering Samantha.

Having left her body in her home, Jeans returned later that night to collect his belongings, he then ended up at a property in Midway Road, Hilsea, where his friend Richard Palmer lived. There, he spent the next few days drinking non-stop until Mr Palmer was informed Jeans was wanted by police and phoned 101.

The jury had heard that it was Samantha’s children, who had been staying with her ex-partner the night before, who had found her body on a sofa in the living room. They were ushered upstairs while her ex-partner phoned the police

Ms Martin explained that when police found Samantha’s body at the address in Wadham Road, they also found a Ring doorbell camera in the dustbin, as well as a broken wine glass, both of which were recovered as evidence.

She has previously told the jury: “We suggest it’s clear from the evidence that they were arguing, and Jeans expressed his anger by saying he would kill her.

“During the course of that argument, we know he grabbed her and put pressure on her neck. She was vulnerable, and he used enough force to stop the oxygen going to her brain, and caused a cardiac arrest.”

Jeans, who answered “no comment” to all questions put before him during his police interview, told the court last week that he thought Samantha was “either sleeping or unconscious”, and that he “didn’t appreciate” the severity of her injuries until her returned to the address.

Judge Feest KC added: “It’s not easy for family on both sides of cases like this.

“I know this has been very difficult for obvious reasons. Everybody has behaved impeccably throughout, for which I am grateful. It is not always the case.”

Sentencing is due to take place on Wednesday, June 17.