Bolton man confesses to killing Perseverance Ncube in Little Hulton

Obert Moyo, 46, was arrested in November last year after the death of 35-year-old Perseverance Ncube on Dukesgate Grove, Little Hulton.

Brought before Manchester Crown Court today, Monday, Moyo pleaded guilty to murdering Ms Ncube.

Judge Patrick Field KC said: “I’m not going to deal with sentencing now, I’m adjourning that until tomorrow morning at 10.30am.”

Dressed in a plain grey top and grey trousers Moyo, of Pennington Road, Great Lever, showed no emotion as the court discussed how he would be dealt with.

The case was heard at Manchester Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Ncube, a well known member of her local church, was found with serious injuries after police were called to her home in Little Hulton in the early hours of Friday November 10.

Arriving on the scene at around 2.40am they found that Ms Ncube had suffered a stab wound to her chest.

She was taken to hospital and died shortly afterwards.

Tributes after Ms Ncube's death described the 35-year-old, better known as "Percy" as "loving and devoted."

They said: “Percy had just celebrated her 35th birthday in October, and her passing has left us with an immeasurable sense of loss."

Moyo was arrested soon afterwards, charged with Ms Ncube’s murder and with possession of an offensive weapon and has been on remand ever since.

He entered his guilty plea on what would otherwise have been the first day of his trial today, Monday, at Manchester Crown Court.

Prosecutor Eloise Marshall KC said that she accepted the plea and was prepared for the remaining charges against Moyo to “lie on the file".

She said that she would lay out the full facts of the case when Moyo is brought back to court to be sentenced.

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Francis Fitzgibbon KC, defending, accepted that the judge would now wish to consider “all further options” before deciding Moyo’s fate.

He said that he too would set out his case in full at the sentencing hearing, which would include various psychiatric reports.

Moyo remained almost completely silent throughout the proceedings and spoke only to confirm his identity and enter his guilty plea.

Judge Field ordered that he be brought back before the court on the morning of Tuesday, April 30 to learn his fate.

Moyo remained silent as he was taken down from the dock into the cells below.