Man admits murdering mother of seven who disappeared 28 years ago

A man has admitted murdering a mother of seven who disappeared 28 years ago, telling police he disposed of her decomposed body months after killing her.

Trevor Dunkley, 66, also pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of Patricia Lashley, who was 33 years old when she went missing near her home in Dudley, West Midlands, in September 1998.

Dunkley showed no emotion in the dock on Friday as defence barrister Balbir Singh told Wolverhampton Crown Court that the charges had been brought based on a police interview.

Asked by Judge Michael Chambers KC if Ms Lashley's body had been found, Mr Singh answered: "No, because this is 28 years ago and the body was put into the cellar downstairs.

"It decomposed. When he was moving, about nine months to a year later, the skeleton was disposed of into the bins."

Asked if there was a basis of plea, Mr Singh said of the case: "It is down to what the defendant told the police when there was no evidence in reality of what had happened."

Dunkley was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 6 November.

Police have said Ms Lashley, who was known locally as Pat or Jade, lived at an address in Hall Street, Dudley, had links to London, Wales, Newcastle and Scotland, and also used the names Vanessa and Tricia, as well as the surname Bradford.

Several members of her family were present in court to see Dunkley, who police believe knew Ms Lashley, enter his guilty pleas.

Both charges admitted by Dunkley covered a time period between 22 and 28 September 1998.

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Judge Chambers said: "You have had the courage to plead guilty to these matters and will get appropriate credit (for pleading guilty) in due course.

"I am required to set the minimum term that you will have to serve before the parole board considers your case.

"As you are aware, the sentence for murder is life imprisonment.

"I am going to order a pre-sentence report. It's in your interests to cooperate with the preparation of that report.

"In the meantime, you must remain in custody."

(c) Sky News 2026: Man admits murdering mother of seven who disappeared 28 years ago