A man has admitted killing his partner, who was battered over the head with a breeze block.

Ricky Woodford, 42, denied murdering Sarah Smith, 39, but pleaded guilty to her manslaughter by diminished responsibility during a hearing at the Old Bailey on Monday.

Ms Smith was found with fatal head injuries at the home she shared with the defendant in Eltham on October 30 last year.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC accepted Woodford’s plea in light of a report on his mental health and following discussion with Ms Smith’s family.

Judge Alexia Durran remanded Woodford, of Henwick Road, Eltham, into custody to be sentenced on November 11.

Ms Smith’s family sat in the well of the court during the short hearing.

As the defendant was led from the dock, a man sitting in the public gallery called him a “coward” during an angry outburst.

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