A 27-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murder at Lincoln Crown Court. Owen Blades, of Tennyson Street, Gainsborough, was due to stand trial on Thursday, January 2 after being charged with the murder of 69-year-old John Connolly.
However, on Friday, January 3, Blades pleaded guilty at a hearing at Crown Court. He has admitted killing Mr Connolly in his home at Portland Street, Lincoln on June 13, 2024.
Mr Connolly’s body was found by officers on Tuesday, June 18 after a call was made to the force’s control room by his family, who were concerned for his welfare.
Blades, who had been arrested on June 13 and charged with a grievous bodily harm incident which had taken place at Merkur Slots in Lincoln that same day, was on remand when the investigation started. He was identified as a suspect and following further investigations, he was charged with murder on June 25, 2024.
Police at the scene of a murder investigation on Portland Street, Lincoln
(Image: Lincolnshire Live)
During today’s hearing, Blades also pleaded guilty to a burglary in Portland Street, Lincoln, possession of a knife in a public place, and theft of food from Tesco. All of these incidents took place on June 13, 2024.
He will now be sentenced on Thursday, January 9.