Man accused of murdering wife and daughter, 12, to defend himself at trial

27 February 2023 , 16:49

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Peter Nash is accused of the murders of Jillu Nash, 43, and their daughter Louise (Image: Facebook / East Anglia News Service)

A man accused of murdering his wife and 12-year-old daughter will defend himself when he goes on trial later this year.

Peter Nash, 46, was brought a walking frame by a dock officer and leant on it to stand as he entered his pleas from the secure dock at Ipswich Crown Court.

The defendant is accused of the murders of Jillu Nash, 43, and their daughter Louise at their home in Heath Estate, Great Waldingfield, Sudbury, Suffolk, between September 7 and 9 last year.

Asked for his pleas at a hearing on Monday, he responded to both counts in turn: “I know not guilty.”

Police at the Nash family home after Jillu and Louise were found dead (East Anglia News Service)

Nash indicated he would represent himself at trial instead of having barristers to represent him.

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Asked by the judge, Mr Justice Edward Murray, if this was his “firm intention”, the defendant replied: “Yes.”

Ms Nash died of pressure on the neck (Facebook / East Anglia News Service)

Jillu was killed between September 7 and September 9 last year (Facebook / East Anglia News Service)

Suffolk Constabulary said Ms Nash and Louise were discovered on September 8, with the daughter having a single stab wound to the abdomen.

The force said a Home Office post-mortem examination recorded that Tesco worker Ms Nash died of pressure on the neck.

Nash was remanded in custody and is due to stand trial from April 17 at Ipswich Crown Court, with an administrative hearing due to take place on March 10.

Sam Russell