Man pleads guilty to the murder of Isobella Knight

A 36-year-old man has today (January 8) pleaded guilty to the murder of a much-loved mother.

On June 13 last year, Paul Knight strangled his wife - 32-year-old Isobella “Izzy” Knight - inside their home in Donnington Road, Burton Latimer, while their two daughters lay in bed asleep.

The following morning, he asked his mother to look after the two children, claiming he and Izzy were unwell.

Once they were collected, he made unsuccessful attempts to end his own life before leaving the property and crashing his car in the car park of the nearby McDonald’s restaurant.

The police officers who responded to the collision found his behaviour odd and made the decision to search his home address. That’s when they sadly found Izzy’s body.

Paul Knight was arrested and subsequently charged with murder.

In the days following Izzy’s death, her family described her as “beautiful, inside and out”.

“I want everyone to know that Izzy was so much more than a victim,” her mum Helena wrote. “She was a loving mother, a treasured daughter, a best friend in sister form, a talented artist, and a great friend. She laughed, she cried, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children, she had dreams, and she loved hard.

“She was such a lovely woman, and I already miss her so much. She will never ever be forgotten, and we will make sure her girls grow up knowing what an incredible person she was.”

Her dad Tim said: “When I think of Izzy, it’s as a mum. She was wonderful, she just shone.  

“She encouraged her children to find their talents, and now as her family we will keep her memory alive for them. We will stand side by side and say to them ‘this is your mum, and she was brilliant and wonderful, and she loved you so much’, just the way I have always loved her.” 

Despite initially pleading not guilty to Izzy’s murder, Paul Knight changed his plea at Northampton Crown Court today (January 8) to guilty. 

He will be sentenced on Thursday, January 29.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said: “This is a tragic case of violence against a woman who had everything to live for and I am pleased Paul Knight has finally decided to tell the truth and admit to his wife’s murder.  

“It is clear to see through the words written by her parents that Izzy was an incredible woman with so many positive qualities and so many reasons to live.  

“Her life was cut short by a man fuelled by thoughts only for himself. He has left two daughters without a mother and there is no sentence that could ever make up for that.  

“I am glad that Izzy’s family do not now have to go through further pain in the form of a trial and my thoughts remain with them at what continues to be a very difficult time.”