Man admits killing wife whose body was found in attic at family home in Forest Hill

A man has admitted killing his wife whose body was found in the attic of the southeast London family home.

Shane Simmonds, 39, is accused of murdering Tia Simmonds, 32, in the first couple of days of January this year.

Her body was discovered in storage area of a converted loft covered in clothing and bedding on January 3.

At the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Simmonds appeared via videolink from HMP Belmarsh.

He continues to deny the murder allegation, but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter – accepting he was responsible for the death.

When entering the guilty plea, Simmonds added that he is accepting manslaughter “by diminished responsibility”.

Simmonds also pleaded guilty to twice raping another female on the day before his wife’s body was discovered at the home in in Parbury Road in Forest Hill .

A murder trial is due to take place on October 14.

Simmonds was arrested after voluntarily attending a police station on January 3.

He was remanded in custody by Judge Richard Marks KC, the Common Serjeant of London, until the trial.

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