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Man killed young partner and son 'Viking' killing of woman and son
(30 minutes later)
A 65-year-old man has been jailed for life after he admitted killing his partner and their son. A 65-year-old man has been jailed for life for killing his partner and their son before laying him out in a Viking-style ritual.
Kirsty O'Connell, 21, died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and compression to the neck. Their four-year-old son, Patrick, died from asphyxia. James Conan strangled Kirsty O'Connell, 21, before stabbing her 20 times. He then played with their four-year-old son Patrick, before smothering him.
They were found at a flat in Woolford Close, Winchester, in August 2007. They were found at a flat in Woolford Close, Winchester, in August 2007. Patrick's body had a torch in one hand.
James Conan, who had originally denied the charges, changed his plea to guilty at a hearing at Winchester Crown Court. He will serve a minimum of 16 years. Conan was told he will serve a minimum of 16 years.
Conan, whose original surname was Walsh, pleaded guilty to the murder of Miss O'Connell. He denied the murder of Patrick but admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. He pleaded guilty to murdering Miss O'Connell and the manslaughter, due to diminished responsibility, of Patrick.
Police officers had forced entry to the property where Miss O'Connell lived after her family reported them both missing for several days. The ritual nature of laying out is bizarre. It's as if the little boy has been sent off for a journey Stewart Jones QC, prosecuting
It was understood the bodies had been lying in situ in the flat for a couple of days. The court was told that Miss O'Connell had found out he was having an affair with another young woman and she told him to leave the flat.
On 3 August Conan, whose original surname was Walsh, killed Miss O'Connell by severing her jugular vein before lighting a cigarette and playing with Patrick, known as PJ, for half an hour.
Afterwards he took him to the main bedroom of their council flat, smothered him with a pillow and bathed him.
The youngster was then taken back to his room and "laid out ceremoniously" with items put around him, including toy dagger and guns and a torch in his hand.
Conan was in the flat when the bodies were found
A note from Conan was also placed near the body.
Stewart Jones QC, prosecuting, said: "The ritual nature of laying out is bizarre. It's as if the little boy has been sent off for a journey."
He told the court that Conan had changed his name because it had significance in Nordic legend.
Mr Jones QC, added: "This may go some way to explain the boy being laid out."
Police officers went to the property after Miss O'Connell's family reported them both missing for several days.
The court was told Conan answered the door and said he had killed the pair.
In a statement shortly after her death, Miss O'Connell's family described her as "a devoted mother and a much loved daughter".In a statement shortly after her death, Miss O'Connell's family described her as "a devoted mother and a much loved daughter".