London man admits killing his sister

A man from south-east London has pleaded guilty to killing his sister, on the first day of his Old Bailey trial.

Andrew Cunningham, 62, fatally stabbed Margaret Cunningham, 57, on 29 November 2024.

Police had been called to an address shortly before 15:00 GMT and Ms Cunningham was taken to hospital where she died later that evening.

Cunningham was arrested in Rotherhithe and charged with her murder, which he denied, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

On Monday, the defendant, of Greenland Quay, Rotherhithe, appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link.

The charge of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility was entered after an agreement by medical experts for the prosecution and defence.

Prosecutor Nneka Akudolu KC said the matter had been considered at a high level and the plea was acceptable to the Crown Prosection Service.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC adjourned sentencing until 25 March.

Lucraft told Cunningham that the violent death of anyone, particularly his sister, required "people to think about the impact of the loss of her life".

"Any sentence the court passes, whatever the circumstances, will never equate to the loss of life," he said.

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