Ashley Wadsworth of Vernon, B.C., was stabbed to death earlier this year.Supplied
A British man has pleaded guilty to murdering a Canadian teenager who moved to England last year to meet him.
Jack Sepple was 23 years old when he was arrested for the Feb. 1, 2022 stabbing death of 19-year-old Ashley Wadsworth of Vernon, B.C.
Mr. Sepple has appeared in Chelmsford Crown Court, in Essex, northeast of London, and entered a guilty plea.
A court clerk confirmed Mr. Sepple is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 10.
Ms. Wadsworth met Mr. Sepple online and her Facebook page showed she moved to England last November.
She posted photos of what she described as an “amazing trip to London” with Mr. Sepple just weeks before she was killed.
A statement from Essex Police said Mr. Sepple entered the guilty plea during a trial preparation hearing on Wednesday.
“The evidence against Sepple is so overwhelming that he was left with very few options other than to admit his guilt,” said the statement from Detective Superintendent Scott Egerton.
“At the very least, today’s plea means Ashley’s family will be spared the heartache of having to sit through a trial,” said Det. Supt. Egerton.
Mr. Sepple faces a life term when he is sentenced next month and Det. Supt. Egerton said he hopes the “substantial amount of time” Mr. Sepple will spend in custody provides “some form of comfort” to Ms. Wadsworth’s family.
A motive for the murder was not provided.
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