Man admits killing Usha Patel in her Cricklewood home

Usha Patel was found murdered at her home in Cricklewood (Image: Archant)

Miles Donnelly pleaded guilty to the murder of Usha Patel, 44, whose body was found in her flat in Melrose Avenue on October 8 last year.

She has been stabbed, beaten across the face and strangled.

The 35-year-old from Paddington, who also used the name Miles Ryan, also admitted hitting a woman over the head with a stool when she turned down his sexual advances the day after he murdered Ms Patel.

Donnelly dramatically changed his plea today on the first day of his two-week long trial at the Old Bailey.

The court heard he first came into online contact with Ms Patel in April last year and the pair went on to met in person before continuing to keep in touch.

Donnelly murdered Ms Patel after she invited him over to her home on October 7 at 8pm.

Her body was found by a relative the following morning.

Detectives investigating the murder found Donnelly’s set of house keys inside the flat and forensic evidence including samples from a wine glass was also matched to him.

After he killed Ms Patel he hid at the home of a 43-year-old woman who lived on the same street as him.

He stayed there for 36 hours before attacking her when she turned him down.

He gave himself up on October 11 and he was arrest for the murder of Ms Patel.

He has never revealed why he killed Ms Patel, who had a five-year-old autistic son.

Detective Inspector James Stevenson, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “Donnelly declined to answer any questions put to him during his police interviews and has never offered any information as to why he assaulted and killed Usha Patel that night.

“Usha’s family are completely devastated

“Today, I am pleased that Donnelly now faces a considerable prison.”

Donnelly will be sentenced on Thursday.