Man Admits Killing Leeds Woman 14 Years Ago

15 December 2014, 14:13 | Updated: 15 December 2014, 14:20

A man has admitted killing Gemma Simpson who went missing in Leeds more than 14 years ago.

Martin Bell said God told him to kill 23-year-old Gemma Simpson when she was at his flat in Harrogate, 14 years ago in May 2000.

Bell pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court today.

The 45-year-old, who handed himself into police earlier this year, said he gave Miss Simpson the opportunity to get away but killed her after he thought she had threatened his children.

Simon Myerson QC told the court Bell launched a "frenzied" attack in which he repeatedly struck Miss Simpson with a hammer and then stabbed her in the back and neck with a kitchen knife.

Bell, who has been diagnosed with psychotic illness, told police he wrapped her body in a sleeping bag.

He then drove her to Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate, where he dug a hole with a shovel and buried her.

Her body was found by police in August this year.

Bell will be sentenced later this week.