Killing of theft victim admitted

Liz Sherlock died after giving chase

A man accused of murdering costume designer Elizabeth Sherlock admitted her manslaughter when he appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.

Mark Woolley, a 35-year-old plasterer and tiler, of Pentonville, north London, denies murdering her on 16 April.

His plea of guilty to manslaughter was not accepted by the prosecution, and he is due to be tried for murder on 3 December.

Mrs Sherlock was drinking coffee with her husband, Peter, at a cafe at London's Euston station when her handbag was snatched on Easter Monday.

Gave chase

She died after she gave chase and fell into the road as she jumped onto the bonnet trying to stop a car.

Mr Woolley's counsel, Michael Magarian, told the court that his client wanted "to make it clear his acknowledgement of causing death".

Also appearing at the Old Bailey with Mr Woolley was Jackie Moorehouse, 23, from West Hampstead, north London - she denied both murder and manslaughter and is due to be tried with him in December.

She admitted that she stole Mrs Sherlock's handbag and its contents. Woolley has denied this charge.

Mr Magarian told the Old Bailey: "By his plea he clearly accepts he was the driver and wishes to make it publicly known he accepts responsibility for causing the death of Mrs Sherlock and the manner he drove caused her death."