6 months ago
28
A 36-year-old man has plead guilty to the murder of a mother of four in Lisburn in 2020.
Natasha Melendez, who was 32 and originally from Venezuela, was attacked on 22 March 2020 and died of her injuries on 1 April that year.
John David Scott, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, wept in court as he was rearraigned on the murder and assault charges.
He pleaded guilty to murder and three assaults on Ms Melendez.
The judge handed him a life sentence as Natasha's mother and family looked on.
The court heard that Scott was arrested for murder on 1 April 2020, but wasn't interviewed by police until January 2022.
A barrister told the court "his arrest coincided with the exact day of lockdown".
Scott will find out in September how long he will spend in prison before being considered for parole.
