‘Yes – I did kill my pregnant partner. But I didn’t murder her’

A boyfriend who stabbed his pregnant ex-partner to death in her London flat has admitted killing her.

Shaine March, 47, killed 32-year-old mother-of-two Alana Odysseos in a flat in Lynmouth Road, Walthamstow, on 22 July last year.

Ms Odysseos was seen by neighbours stumbling out of the address in her dressing gown clutching her side.
She collapsed on a grassy area outside the address suffering from stab wound to the legs, abdomen, shoulder and back.

Neighbours provided first aid and emergency services attended but she was declared dead at the scene at 3.52am.
March appeared at the Old Baileywearing a face mask and admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

He denies murder, claiming that his mental function was impaired when he killed Ms Odysseos.

A jury panel is now being selected this afternoon, with prosecutor Louise Oakley expected to open the trial tomorrow morning.

The murder trial, before Mr Justice Murray, is due to last three weeks.

Ms Odysseos had two children aged 12 and two and was ‘excited to become a mother again because she just found she was four weeks pregnant,’ according to her sister.

Her sister Jasmine Yates said she was a ‘pure-hearted person’ and a ‘brilliant mother.’
March, of Rainsborough Avenue, Surrey Quays, south London, denies murder.

He admits manslaughter by diminished responsibility.