Man admits killing woman whose body was found at a Shrewsbury trade park on Christmas Eve 2014
A man has appeared in court to admit killing a 47-year-old woman whose body was found in a Shrewsbury trade park - but a murder trial will still go ahead.
Nigel Woolley, 45, of Buttington Road, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty in front of a jury to the manslaughter of Julia Winifred Mercer.
The body of the 47-year-old finance officer, who also lived in Buttington Road, was found at Shrewsbury Dial-a-Ride's premises at Sundorne Trade Park on Christmas Eve 2014.
The alternative charge to murder, which he continues to deny, was put to him at Worcester Crown Court today before the start of his trial.
Woolley denies murdering Mrs Mercer and will stand trial after barrister Mr John Atkins QC told the jury the prosecution would still be asking them to reach verdicts on the murder count.
Mrs Mercer was found dead at Shrewsbury Transport Limited, which operates Shrewsbury Dial a Ride, at Sundorne Trade Park, Featherbed Lane, at 8am on December 24, 2014.
Woolley is accused of murdering her sometime between December 22, 2014, and December 25, 2014.
