Skip to content

Man admits stabbing his mum to death in village

Lewis Adams/BBC Police tape at the block of flats in Readers Court. In the foreground is a road sign that directs people to Readers Court. The police tape then leads you to the flats. In front of one is a black screen.Lewis Adams/BBC
Michele Romano was pronounced dead at the scene of her son's house in Great Baddow in February

A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his mother on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Michele Romano, who was in her 60s, died after being stabbed "multiple times" by her son in Great Baddow, near Chelmsford, on 9 February.

Sebastian Compton, 47, later confessed to the killing when he was confronted by police shortly after 14:30 GMT.

He would be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 21 November, Essex Police said.

Lewis Adams/BBC Black screens and police tape blocking off the entrance to a two-storey block of flats.Lewis Adams/BBC
Neighbours told the BBC how they heard an air ambulance landing at the scene following the fatal stabbing

Members of the public had called the police after becoming concerned about Compton's appearance.

Officers found him being treated in the rear of an ambulance, where he admitted killing his mother, having inflicted several stab wounds upon her.

Police drove to Compton's home address in Readers Court where they found Ms Romano, who died at the scene, police said.

He was due to stand trial earlier but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at the start of the hearing.

Speaking to the BBC in February, neighbour John MacDonald said the incident was "tragic".

"It's the first time, as far as I'm aware, we've had something of this nature here. It's not very pleasant," he added.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links