A POOLE man has pleaded guilty to the murder of an "adoring" mother in Stoke-on-Trent.

Lewis Crofts admitted killing Kimberley Deakin at her home in November last year.

Officers from Staffordshire Police were called to Leigh Street, Burslem, just before 4.45pm on November 6, 2020,

The force had received a report that a woman had been seriously injured.

Ms Deakin, 29, died in hospital a short time later.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said Crofts, 30, had fled the scene in Ms Deakin's car but he was arrested by police in Northamptonshire.

A Home Office post mortem examination found the cause of her death was stab wounds.

Crofts, of Lytchett Drive, Broadstone, entered the guilty plea during a pre-trial review hearing at Stafford Crown Court on the afternoon of Friday, April 23.

He was remanded into custody to await sentencing, which was fixed to take place at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday, May 4.

A trial had been set to take place later next month but this will no longer be required after Crofts's guilty plea.

Following Ms Deakin's death, a tribute from her family was released through Staffordshire Police.

The statement said: "The family cannot express in words their sorrow and pain at losing their beloved Kim.

"She was kind, caring and loved by many.

"Kim had recently become an adoring mother to Ava and can never be replaced in our hearts. We would like to ask for privacy to be allowed to grieve in peace.”