Owen Blades, 27, has pleaded guilty to murder.

The man charged with the murder of 69-year-old John Connolly has today (Friday, 3 January) pleaded guilty at a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.

Owen Blades, 27, of Tennyson Street, Gainsborough, was due to stand trial on 2 January after initially entering a not guilty plea, but changed it at a hearing today. 

He has now admitted killing John in his home at Portland Street, Lincoln, on 13 June 2024.

John’s body was found by officers on Tuesday, 18 June following a call to our Force Control Room from his family who were concerned for his welfare.

Blades, who had been arrested on 13 June and charged with a GBH which had taken place at Merkur Slots in Lincoln that same day, was on remand while our investigation started. He was quickly identified as a suspect.

Following further investigations, he was charged with murder on 25 June.

During today’s hearing, Blades also pleaded guilty to a burglary in Portland Street, Lincoln, possession of a knife in public place, and theft of food from Tesco.

All of these incidents took place on 13 June.

Blades will now be sentenced on 9 January, and was told by the court today that he should expect to receive a life sentence.

Below is Owen Blades: