Louise Smith murder trial: Shane Mays of Leigh Park pleads guilty to manslaughter at Winchester Crown Court
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Shane Mays, 30, of Somborne Drive, Leigh Park, is accused of murdering the teenager who went missing in May this year.
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter this morning at Winchester Crown Court ahead of his murder trial.
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Hide AdMays denies murder. Prosecutor James Newton-Price QC said the plea was not acceptable and a trial will still take place.
Louise vanished on VE Day, May 8, this year. Her body was found on May 21 at Havant Thicket.
Mrs Justice Juliet May told a jury panel, who are due to be sworn in tomorrow ahead of the trial opening, that the ‘continuation of trials during difficult times is particularly important,’ a reference to the Covid pandemic.
The senior judge told them the trial could last up until December 11.