Found Deceased UK - Samantha Eastwood, 28, Stoke-on-Trent, 27 July 2018 *Arrest*

[Alyce]

Ben Chapman‏ @BenChapmanITV 1m1 minute ago

Michael Stirling’s defence barrister says Stirling and Samantha Eastwood has been having an affair; that the killing was not premeditated, but that on the afternoon of the murder, ‘things were said’ that made him very angry.

 

[Alyce]

14:59
Murderer appears to break down as he admitted murder
The defendant appeared in breakdown as he pleaded guilty.


Live: Michael Stirling pleads GUILTY to murdering Samantha Eastwood

 

[shadowdancer]

It is good news for the family.

I don't think he really had any other option. It sounded like the police had a really strong case.

 

[Alyce]

Ben Chapman‏ @BenChapmanITV 55s56 seconds ago

The court is told that there was a ‘struggle’ between Samantha Eastwood and Michael Stirling, during which he put his hands over her nose, mouth and throat in an “intense rage”. He then panicked and buried her body

 

[Alyce]

It is good news for the family.

I don't think he really had any other option. It sounded like the police had a really strong case.

Agree. I dont think it was pre meditated and he panicked afterewards and did not manage to hide his involvement.
The Pros had such a strong case from everything we have heard.
I wonder if the delay was his QC going for a manslaughter plea and the Prosecution refusing this.

 

[shadowdancer]

Ben Chapman‏ @BenChapmanITV 1m1 minute ago

Michael Stirling’s defence barrister says Stirling and Samantha Eastwood has been having an affair; that the killing was not premeditated, but that on the afternoon of the murder, ‘things were said’ that made him very angry.

So that answers the question of why.

I hope that the defence team are not planning to use the lack of prior planning to commit murder as leverage to get a shorter minimum term.

He still didn't have to do it. He could have stopped himself at any point.

 

[Alyce]

15:00
Murdering Samantha was not a 'premeditated act'
Defence barrister Charles Miskin QC tells the court: “It was not a premeditated act.”

15:01
'There was growing tension from a long-standing affair'
Mr Miskin QC added: “The context was a background of growing tension from a long-standing but not particularly intense affair.”

15:03
Murderer Stirling 'put his hands around her throat, mouth and nose - and she died'
Mr Miskin QC added: “On the afternoon of the killing various things were said. There was an argument. He became very angry. While she was on the floor he put his hands around her throat, her mouth and nose. As a result of which she died.”


Live: Michael Stirling pleads GUILTY to murdering Samantha Eastwood

 

[Alyce]

So, still no definitive cause of death

BBC Radio Stoke‏Verified account @BBCRadioStoke 2m2 minutes ago

32 y/o Michael Stirling from Bucknall admits murdering Stoke-on-Trent midwife Samantha Eastwood who was found in a shallow grave in Caverswall in August. The cause of death is still unconfirmed

 

[Alyce]

Ben Chapman‏ @BenChapmanITV 4m4 minutes ago

Samantha Eastwood’s mother and sister are in court to hear Michael Stirling’s guilty plea. He is the brother in law of Samantha’s ex-fiance. The midwife was missing for more than a week, after finishing a hospital night shift, before her body was discovered

 

[shadowdancer]

Thanks for sharing the updates Alyce.

 

[Alyce]

15:04
Murderer Stirling killed Samantha, panicked and buried her
Mr Miskin QC added: “During his intense rage he originally intended to cause her really serious bodily harm. But matters escalated and he formed and carried out the intention to kill her. He panicked and buried her in an area of which he had some knowledge.”

15:07
Murderer is 'absolutely horrified' by what happened
Mr Miskin QC added: “He entirely accepts he misled others in the aftermath of the killing.
“He is absolutely horrified about what happened.
“He is deeply sorry, not for himself, but for all those others who are victims of this crime.”


Live: Michael Stirling pleads GUILTY to murdering Samantha Eastwood

 

[JosieJo]

It is good news for the family.

I don't think he really had any other option. It sounded like the police had a really strong case.

They often try for manslaughter though and with the cause of death not being confirmed I'm even more surprised. Maybe he has a conscience

 

[Alyce]

15:10
Murderer has a history of mental health and depression
Prosecutor Mr Hankin QC said there were searches of the defendant’s laptop about how to kill yourself using methods including carbon monoxide poisoning and ingestion of poison - antifreeze.
He added the defendant has a history of mental health and depression, most recently in 2015.

 

[Alyce]

Ben Chapman‏ @BenChapmanITV 1m1 minute ago

Michael Stirling will be sentenced for the murder of Samantha Eastwood at a later date to allow time for reports to be completed


Live: Michael Stirling pleads GUILTY to murdering Samantha Eastwood

 

[Alyce]

15:13
Murderer Michael Stirling will be sentenced on December 3
The judge, Mrs Justice Susan Carr, ordered a signed basis of plea to be lodged within seven days.
She set the sentencing date, at Stafford Crown Court, on Monday, December 3 at 10.30am.


Live: Michael Stirling pleads GUILTY to murdering Samantha Eastwood

 

[shadowdancer]

They often try for manslaughter though and with the cause of death not being confirmed I'm even more surprised. Maybe he has a conscience

Or perhaps they had text messages where he incriminates himself....

 

[Sark06]

There must have been some perceived threat of pre meditation as SE had asked colleagues to call the police if she didn't show up for work

 

[Sark06]

Plus he's waited to see papers and delayed plea hearings before finally deciding to admit his guilt - no conscience imo

 

[JosieJo]

I agree text messages could be incriminating ..though the defence still trying to portray a last second decision.
The waiting for papers could have been his Barristers advice no matter what his initial intentions..but who knows

 

[Alyce]

I agree Sark. Only person he will be feeling sorry for is himself. As I said upthread, I bet his QC was trying to get a manslaughter plea accepted and when that didn't work, they will now go down the mental issue route and try to get him into prison hospital.
Clearly at some point he made the decision to escalate his attack from serious harm to killing Samantha.
If he really had not meant this to happen, he would have admitted his actions, not spent time taping up her face and hiding her body.