Leeds thug with domestic-violence past confesses to murdering 'beloved' mum
He faces mandatory life sentence for killing of 51-year-old
A man has confessed to killing a woman who was found fatally injured at an address in Leeds during the summer.
Jack Johns formally entered a guilty plea to murdering 51-year-old Gosia Wiktor at Leeds Crown Court this morning.
Having been held on remand, 52-year-old Johns appeared for the hearing in person having been transported from prison.
A provisional trial date in December has now been vacated and he will be returned to court on November 9 for sentencing.
Johns, of School Street, Tingley, faces a mandatory life sentence, with the minimum time he must serve in prison to be decided.
A report will now be prepared on Johns, with the court being told he has previous convictions for domestic violence.
He was remanded back into custody until his sentencing date.
Detectives launched a murder investigation on Thursday, June 11, after attending an address on Foster Square on Belle Isle, where Ms Wiktor was found seriously injured. She sadly died at the scene.
Following her death, her family said: “It is so hard to find words when our hearts are filled with sorrow.
“It will be so difficult, and life will be so different, learning to live without you. We still cannot believe that we will no longer hear your laughter, see your smile.
“You left far too soon, leaving behind an emptiness that nothing can fill. As a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, you were the heart of our family, a source of warmth, love, and joy.
“We are not able to say goodbye. The pain felt by our entire family is beyond words.
“That is why we will not say ‘farewell,’ because we believe that love is stronger than death. Instead, we will simply say: ‘Stay close.’
“Forever in our hearts and thoughts.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Hannah Dixon, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “This was a sustained attack with Johns causing extensive injuries to the woman he claimed to love.
“Our investigation found that there had been concerns from both sides of their families and from Gosia’s friends about some of the behaviour shown by Johns in their relatively short but intense relationship.
“It is clear how well liked and loved Gosia was, and I am glad for her friends and family that Johns has admitted responsibility and spared them the further distress of a trial.”