A murderer is facing a life sentence after he admitted stabbing a man to death in a Newcastle block of flats.
Killer Dean Johnson left Paul Wilkinson with "multiple deep stab wounds to the chest and abdomen". The 47-year-old victim died after the attack at Church Walk House, Walker, on December 4 last year.
Now Johnson has appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to plead guilty to murder. He will be sentenced in June after psychiatric reports are compiled. Judge Paul Sloan QC told him: "I'm adjourning sentence to the 10th of June and you will be produced at court on that date.
"You will appreciate there is only one sentence in relation to the offence of murder and that is a sentence of life imprisonment. However I will be required to specify the minimum term you must serve before you can even be considered for release.
"I will do that after considering all the relevant information in the reports that are placed before me." Johnson, 52, of no fixed address, was further remanded in custody.
Emergency services were called to the high rise block at just after 2pm, on Saturday December 4. Despite efforts to save his Mr Wilkinson's life, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, from Northumbria Police ’s Major Investigation Team (MIT), said: “This has been an incredibly upsetting time for Paul’s family, but today’s guilty plea will thankfully spare them from any further distress caused by the case going to trial.
“While no sentence or result will ever bring Paul back, hopefully Johnson’s acknowledgment of his actions and the serious harm and devastation they caused, will serve as the first step towards the closure that the Wilkinson family deserve. As a force we are committed to tackling serous violence and are working hard to reduce the devastating impact knife crime can have on people and their loved ones.
“I would like to thank all of the officers involved in this case for their hard work and assistance in preparing a solid evidential file which has resulted in a dangerous offender being brought before the courts, and pleading guilty.”
