Man who murdered Cricklewood woman has previous convictions for violent crimes
Miles Donnelly has admitted killing Usha Patel - Credit: Archant
A man who murdered a mother from Cricklewood who he met on a dating website has a string of previous convictions for violent crimes, it has been revealed.
Victim: Usha Patel (Pic: Facebook) - Credit: Archant
Miles Donnelly viciously beat, stabbed and strangled Usha Patel, 44, in her flat in Melrose Avenue, on October 7 last year.
For the first time today it can be reported that Ms Patel’s autistic five-year-old son was in the flat when his mother was murdered.
Today at the Old Bailey it was revealed the 35-year-old has a long record for crimes including robbery and threatening abusive behaviour since he was 15.
He went on a massive cocaine and drinking binge after he mother died on September 15 before he went on to kill Ms Patel a month later.
Ms Patel had invited him over to her home after they had previously met in person through free online dating website Oasis.
The court heard the first message between the pair took place on April 15, followed by a second in July and then sexual texts and phone calls took place on October 4.
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Donnelly told the lone parent that he wanted ‘something more serious than just sex and a meet’ and said ‘I will look after you…and never lie to you or let you down.’
The body of Ms Patel was found the following morning by her father after he arrived to bring his grandson to school.
The young boy had told him ‘Mummy’s not very well.’
He also admitted hitting his neighbour Rosie Ferrigno over the head with a stool when she turned down his sexual advances the day after he murdered Ms Patel.
After he killed Ms Patel he visited Ms Ferrigno’s home, who lived on the same street as him, and laid low for 36 hours before attacking her when she turned him down.
Donnelly will be sentenced for the murder of Ms Patel and ABH to Ms Ferrigno at 12.30pm at the Old Bailey.
