12 July 2023 , 17:59
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A roofer who stabbed his pregnant girlfriend 46 times with a pair of scissors refused to come to court for sentence because he would find it 'extremely distressing'.
Liam Taylor, 37, brutally murdered mother-of-four Ailish Walsh and later told police: 'It's crazy how one moment of madness can change your whole life'.
Ms Walsh, originally from Ireland, was 22 weeks pregnant with Taylor's child at the time of her death. The 28-year-old had been trying to break up with Taylor because he was taking drugs, the Old Bailey has heard.
Taylor admitted murdering Ms Walsh at her home in Rectory Road, Stoke Newington, north London, on December 15 last year. Six members of Ms Walsh's family and friends had travelled from her native Ireland to attend court today hoping to see the killer sentenced.
But Taylor told prison staff this morning that he would not attend because he has been 'up all night ill'.
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Mother-of-four Ailish Walsh, 28, was found by her father in her home in Rectory Road, Stoke Newington, with 40 stab wounds He told his defence barrister Andrew Morris last night that he didn't feel "mentally able to attend the hearing."
He found the hearing to be something which would be extremely distressing and he didn't want to be present. He was content for it to go ahead in his absence,' Mr Morris said.
Judge Nigel Lickley, KC, said: "I'm not going to sentence him in his absence. He's got to come here and he's got to hear what we've got to say.
"I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he is present to be sentenced- he needs to hear what people have to say and I will hear from a pathologist who will explain the injuries he's caused.
"I know family and friends have travelled from Ireland but I am sure they understand my view that Liam Taylor should be here to be sentenced.
Police officers and forensic teams at the scene in Stoke Newington (Tom Bowles)"I will only proceed in absence when other options have been exhausted."
Prosecutor Jane Osborne, KC, indicated that the family agreed Taylor should attend. Taylor has seen a mental health nurse and been given anxiety medication, the court heard.
Judge Lickley said: 'There doesn't seem to be any major medical issue. He has taken some medication for his anxiety and that will be taken before his next appearance so he can be here.'
The court will hear evidence on Ms Walsh's injuries from pathologist Matt Cieka on 8 August while sentencing will take place on 24 August.
Ms Osborne earlier said Taylor would not be charged with killing the unborn baby girl because the legal abortion limit had not been reached and the baby would not have survived outside the womb.
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Judge Lickley had said it would be a 'significant' aggravating factor if the intention to kill the baby was proved.