18 May 2023 , 09:58
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A man faces jail for life for the murder of comedy legend Tommy Cooper's niece, who was found in a pool of blood after a stabbing.
Sabrina Cooper was found dead in her home in Eastbourne, East Sussex, last December when police were alerted over concerns about her welfare.
The 68-year-old had suffered multiple stab wounds to her chest and abdomen and was found lying in a pool of her own blood.
Tony King, 59, pleaded guilty to her murder when he appeared in at Lewes Crown Court today.
King, who had lived a short walk away from the victim, appeared in court today in a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms, with white stubble and stood impassively in the dock as he pleaded guilty to murder.
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Tony King, pictured, arriving at court, admitting murder (Eddie Mitchell)
King will be sentenced next month at Lewes Crown Court (Eddie Mitchell)Ms Cooper’s daughter, Natasha, fought back tears as King admitted the killing.
She bit her lip as she stared at him as he was led to the court cells.
Judge Christine Laing KC said the only sentence she could pass on the 59-year-old was one of life imprisonment and only had to decide the minimum sentence to impose before parole can be considered.
Forensic police officers outside Sabrina Cooper's home last December (SUSSEX NEWS AND PICTURES)Ms Cooper's father David was the brother of Welsh comic and magician Tommy who died on stage from a heart attack in 1984.
She was well-loved in her hometown of Eastbourne where she had lived for many years and owned Cooper's Magic Shop until its closure in 2017.
An animal lover with two dogs, Abra and Tricks, Sabrina was regularly seen walking them in the seaside resort.
Sabrina Cooper with her mother Zena and daughter Natasha outside Eastbourne's now closed magic shop (Jon Rigby)In a tribute to her, Ms Cooper's family said: "On behalf of the family, we thank everyone who has shown support and love as this nightmare has unfolded.
"A loving and dedicated mother, a beloved grandmother and a popular member of the Eastbourne community, Sabrina enjoyed walking her dogs through Eastbourne where she would meet other like-minded people.
"Like us, her dogs Abra and Tricks cannot understand what has happened as they pine, staring at the door, expecting Sabrina to return."
King will be sentenced at Lewes Crown Court last year (SUSSEX NEWS AND PICTURES)One resident said: ‘She was a lovely lady, well-liked by everyone. It’s such a tragic thing. The shop in Eastbourne was iconic and everyone remembers it well.’
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Another said: ‘She was a really beautiful person. She was so friendly and caring towards everyone she met. We can’t believe she has gone. We used to see her walking her dogs who she was devoted to.’
King will be sentenced at Lewes Crown Court next month.