Woman admits killing Gainsborough man Jonathan Baines

Pamela Mclaggan, also from Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing Mr Baines, aged 44, when she appeared at Lincoln Crown Court today.

Mclaggan denied a charge of murdering Mr Baines, who was known to his friends as Willy.

The manslaughter charge has been accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service and Mclaggan will be sentenced on December 21, the court heard.

The body of Mr Baines was found at a semi-detached house in Ropery Road, Gainsborough, on August 1. Lincolnshire Police said he had suffered a stab wound.

Mclaggan, of Greystones Road, Gainsborough, today appeared in the dock of Court Room number one at Lincoln Crown Court flanked by two security officers.

Wearing a pink jumper, Mclaggan first entered a not guilty plea to murdering Mr Baines at an address in Ropery Road, Gainsborough.

Mclaggan then entered a guilty plea to an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Members of Mr Baines’ family were in the public gallery to hear the plea.

Judge Michael Heath adjourned the case for sentence until Wednesday December 21 and remanded Mclaggan back in to custody.

Following the discovery of Mr Baines’ body Lincolnshire Police appealed for any witnesses who had seen him drinking in Gainsborough following his return from Market Rasen races.

Speaking after the incident, Detective Inspector Jim Hodgson, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “We would like to thank the local residents who assisted our appeal, your information was extremely valuable and has helped us to resolve this investigation quickly.

“This was an isolated incident and we are continuing to support the family of Jonathan.”