Man convicted of murdering his ex-partner more than a decade after he attacked her

A man convicted of attempting to murder his former partner has pleaded guilty to murder after she died from her injuries.

While serving a sentence for the attempted murder of Carolyn Kemp, Trevor Baker has pleaded guilty to murder after she died from her injuries nearly thirteen years later.

Baker, 53 [25.2.71] of HMP Warren Hill, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 22 March where he entered his plea.

Carolyn Kemp, who was 34 at the time of the original incident, was brutally attacked by former partner, Baker, at his address in Walmer Close, Romford on 25 November 2009.

Carolyn had left Baker six months before when their relationship deteriorated but Baker, enraged and unable to accept the relationship was over, launched a ferocious attack that left Carolyn a quadriplegic with an irreparable brain injury.

Baker subsequently pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 16 year’s imprisonment.

Sadly, on 27 September 2022 Carolyn died from aspiration pneumonia.

A forensic post mortem was conducted at Queens Hospital, Romford two days later. Specialist pathologists concluded that if Carolyn hadn't suffered the traumatic brain injuries in 2009, she would have survived the aspiration pneumonia - this being the causal link between the injuries inflicted by Baker and Carolyn’s death.

Baker was charged with murder on Tuesday, 5 December 2023.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Carolyn suffered extreme violence at the hands of Trevor Baker - violence that ultimately resulted in her death following more than a decade of suffering.

“It is right that he be held accountable for the devastation his actions caused, not only to Carolyn, but to her family and friends who loved her.

“I am pleased that due to the guilty plea, Carolyn’s loved ones will now be spared the further distress of going through a trial and reliving the details of what was an horrific attack. My thoughts are with them.“

Baker will appear for sentencing at the same court on Thursday, 16 May.

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