Mournian murder trial: Killer changes plea to guilty

Sep 4 2008 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THURS 4.55pm - Kevin Newton has changed his plea to the murder of Sarah Mournian to guilty.

At the end of a dramatic day in Leeds Crown Court, Newton's counsel told the jury and judge their client wished to alter his plea.

However the judge put off sentencing until tomorrow at the earliest to consider reports.

Full story in tomorrow's Examiner.

THURS AM THE trial of murder accused Kevin Newton was dramatically halted on the day his wife was due to take to the witness box.

The Birkby man is accused of murdering prostitute Sarah Mournian and concealing her body for more than five months in the cellar of the house he shared with his estranged wife Mary Golder.

A jury of six men and six women were sworn in at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday and had heard the opening speech of prosecutor Adrian Waterman QC.

But on Wednesday morning the case was adjourned while legal argument between Mr Waterman and defence counsel Bryan Cox took place.