In a major development in one of the UK’s longest unsolved homicide cases, which had become known as the ‘bedsit’ murders, David Fuller from Heathfield in East Sussex has admitted responsibility for the killings of Wendy Knell, 25 and Caroline Pierce, 20 at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday [October 8].
The women were both attacked in Tunbridge Wells in 1987.
Shop manager Ms Knell, 25, was found dead in her ground-floor bedsit in Guildford Road on June 23 after failing to turn up for work.
Ms Pierce, 20, also from Tunbridge Wells, was attacked five months later outside her home in Grosvenor Park. She had last been seen at about midnight on November 24 when she was dropped off by a taxi.
The murders became a high profile unsolved case and appeared on BBC Crimewatch at the time.
It was revealed in court that Fuller had admitted the killings in August this year, but claimed ‘diminished responsibility’.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said: “It is right to note that in a further defence statement of August 19, the defendant admitted responsibility for both killings subject to the potential issue of diminished responsibility.”
Fuller has denied murder and his trial is expected to begin next month, the court heard. Fuller was remanded in custody ahead of his trial.
