man who strangled wife while their children slept admits murder

Isobella ‘Izzy’ Knight was murdered by her husband Paul Knight inside their home in Burton Latimer on June 13 while their two daughters lay in bed asleep (Picture: Family handout/PA)

A man has admitted strangling his wife while their children were asleep.

Paul Knight,36,changed his plea to guilty on the first day of what was supposed to be a murder trial at Northampton Crown Court today.

The morning after the killing at their home in Burton Latimer last June 13,Knight asked his mum to look after the children saying he and 32-year-old Isobella ‘Izzy’ Knight were unwell.

He then tried to kill himself before driving to a nearby McDonald’s where he crashed in the car park.

Paul Knight admitted her murder on the day his trial was due to start and will be sentenced on January 29 (Picture: Northamptonshire Police/PA)

Police outside the house in Donnington Road,Burton Latimer (Picture: Northamptonshire Telegraph/SWNS)

The police officers who responded to the crash found his behaviour odd and searched his home address,where they found his wife’s body.

In a tribute released through police after her death,Mrs Knight’s mother,Helena,said: ‘I want everyone to know that Izzy was so much more than a victim.

‘She was a loving mother,a treasured daughter,a best friend in sister form,a talented artist,and a great friend.

‘She laughed,she cried,she worked tirelessly to provide for her children,she had dreams,and she loved hard.

‘She was such a lovely woman,and I already miss her so much. She will never ever be forgotten,and we will make sure her girls grow up knowing what an incredible person she was.’

Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison,from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team,said: ‘This is a tragic case of violence against a woman who had everything to live for and I am pleased Paul Knight has finally decided to tell the truth and admit to his wife’s murder.

‘It is clear to see,through the words written by her parents,that Izzy was an incredible woman with so many positive qualities and so many reasons to live.

‘Her life was cut short by a man fuelled by jealousy and thoughts only for himself. He has left two daughters without a mother and there is no sentence that could ever make up for that.

‘I am glad that Izzy’s family do not now have to go through further pain in the form of a trial and my thoughts remain with them at what continues to be a very difficult time.’

Knight will be sentenced on January 29.