Kelly McKitten's killer calls off change of plea

Nov 25 2008 by Alastair Gilmour, The Journal

THE killer of a mother-of-two found battered to death will be jailed this week after abandoning an application to withdraw his guilty plea.

Stuart Cummings had admitted the murder of Kelly McKitten when he was due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court in August this year.

Last month shortly before he was to be sentenced, the court heard the 26-year-old, of Derwent Close, Sacriston, County Durham, wanted to vacate his plea.

But defence counsel Tim Roberts, QC, confirmed yesterday Cummings no longer wished to proceed with the application and a date for sentence was fixed for this Thursday.

The offence of murder carries a mandatory life term but the minimum period Cummings will have to spend in jail before being released on parole will be decided by the sentencing judge.

Ms McKitten, 31, was found by ambulance crews at her home in Gardiner Crescent, Pelton Fell near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, in February.

Relatives described her as a “lovely and popular” woman whose death had left them devastated.