Samantha Eastwood’s brother-in-law breaks down as he pleads GUILTY to killing midwife and dumping her body in a ditch after affair

Michael Stirling, 32, "became angry" as the pair argued on the afternoon of the murder, killing the 28-year-old and leaving her body in a shallow grave.

A court heard how the fencing worker had wrapped his hands around her throat, mouth and nose as she lay on the floor after flying into an "intense rage" during an argument at her Baddeley Green home.

He then panicked, dumping Samantha's body in a ditch where she was found a week later wrapped in a duvet cover with masking tape covering her face and eyes.

Stirling's defence barrister Charles Miskin QC said the fight came after "growing tension" from the "long-standing but not particularly intense affair."

He told Northampton Crown Court: "On the afternoon of the killing various things were said.



"There was an argument. He became very angry. While she was on the floor he put his hands around her throat, her mouth and nose. As a result of which she died.

"During his intense rage he originally intended to cause her really serious bodily harm but after matters escalated he formed and carried out the intention to kill her.

"He panicked and buried her in an area of which he had some knowledge."

Stirling, who appeared via video link, appeared to break down during the court proceedings.


Stirling – whose wife Katie is the sister of Samantha's ex John Peake, 34 – had been charged with murder on August 5.

John Peake and Samantha split up in January after seven years together and called off their wedding which had been due to take place in June.

The wedding was called off in January and Samantha put her wedding dress up for sale on Facebook.

Mr Miskin WC added that Stirling was "absolutely horrified" by what happened.

He said: "He entirely accepts he misled others in the aftermath of the killing.

"He is absolutely horrified about what happened.

"He is deeply sorry, not for himself, but for all those others who are victims of this crime."

The court heard Stirling had a history of mental health and depression.

Jonas Hankin QC, prosecuting, said that two days before the murder Stirling had researched methods on how to "kill oneself".

Stirling was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 3 at Stafford Crown Court.

He faces a life sentence.

A post mortem has taken place but further tests are required.

Concerned colleagues had flagged concerns after Samantha failed to turn up for her shift at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on July 27.

Her disappearance sparked a huge police search, with her body found in a shallow grave in rural land around Caverswall, Staffordshire, on August 4.

The family of Samantha has previously paid tribute to the dedicated midwife.

Grief-stricken Gemma Eastwood, youngster sister of Samantha, had asked people to light a candle to help extinguish "the darkness of this tragedy”

Care worker Gemma, 26, pleaded: “Let's all send her some love to lift her a little higher.

“You can light the candle anywhere in the world, whoever you are: midwives, doctors, maternity support workers, nursery nurses and especially the general public!

“The point is we all feel a togetherness, a united light against the darkness of this tragedy.”



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