A 49-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murdering two women and seriously injuring two others during a frenzied knife attack on Christmas Day.
Victims killed in their own homes
Jazwell Brown, of Santa Cruz Avenue in Bletchley, stabbed his partner Joanne Pearson, 38, and neighbour Teohna Grant, 24, to death with a kitchen knife during the attack. Both women were killed in their own homes. He also tried to kill 29-year-old Bradley Latter and a 17-year-old boy, who both survived their injuries after being taken to hospital.
A dog, believed to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, was also injured but survived. Brown was arrested at the scene and charged two days later.
Guilty pleas in court
Brown appeared at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday where he admitted two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place, and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He will remain in custody until sentencing on 22 May.
Tributes to ‘kind and ambitious’ Teohna
A friend of Teohna Grant described her as “a kind, caring young woman who was hard-working and very shy at times, but she was a bubbly person and very ambitious.” A fundraiser set up in her memory spoke of the pain the attack had caused to the local community.
‘Brutal and senseless’ violence
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin of the Major Crime Unit said: “This was a brutal attack on his own partner and his neighbour, in their respective homes, where they should have been able to feel safe and secure. Jazwell Brown is a dangerous man and I am glad he has accepted responsibility—but the deaths of Joanne and Teohna cannot be undone.”
Prosecution says Brown had no choice but to admit guilt
Celia Mardon from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The strength of the prosecution’s case, which featured compelling witness, CCTV and forensic evidence, gave Jazwell Brown little choice but to admit his guilt. While we may never know why he committed such mindless violence, our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Joanne and Teohna.”
‘Profoundly sorry’, says killer’s lawyer
Brown’s defence barrister told the court he was “profoundly sorry” for his actions. But prosecutors say his remorse offers little comfort to the families left devastated by what police called a “shocking” and “inexplicable” crime committed on a day meant for peace.
