A PENSIONER has admitted killing her 81-year-old husband by smothering him after a disagreement over money.

Police said Janet Dunn 'found herself holding a pillow over the face' of her partner of 53 years Anthony Dunn at a property in Ponteland.

The 73-year-old then fled their marital home, leaving their adult daughter to discover his body and call police.

Dunn, of Beech Court, Darras Hall, was due to go on trial for murder at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday (August 22).

A charge of manslaughter was put to her before the trial was due to get under way, which she admitted.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) later confirmed the plea was acceptable.

Prosecutor Peter Glenser QC told the court the medical expert instructed by the CPS 'is now privy to more information' than he had been in his initial report.

“As a result, the plea entered this morning is now acceptable to the Crown,” Mr Glenser said.

Dunn, who appeared in court wearing a purple cardigan, was remanded in custody until her sentencing hearing at the same court on Thursday (August 25).

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, one of the detectives working on the case, said: “This has been an incredibly awful case which I’m sure will have shocked the local community, and has resulted in the death of Mr Dunn.

“Our thoughts remain with his family as they continue to come to terms with this tragic incident. This guilty plea will spare them a trial and the added stress that can bring.

“I would like to thank the hard work of all the officers involved. It has been an incredibly difficult investigation but their commitment to finding justice has resulted in a detailed evidential file and a guilty plea.

“Hopefully the family can now look to move forward with their grief and find some closure with this result.”