Lisa Clay and Joseph Chadwick

34-year-old Paul Chadwick admitted killing his partner Lisa Clay, 40, and six year old son Joseph Chadwick at the family home on April 9th 2013 when he appeared at Preston Crown Court earlier today.

Chadwick, of Lowlands Road in Bolton le Sands, pleaded guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility to the manslaughter of his partner and son – and will be sentenced on October 30th.

Police attended Lowlands Road following a call from a family member who had been trying to get hold of the Chadwicks. Once inside the house they found the body of Joseph in his bedroom, and Lisa in the hallway. Paul Chadwick was also inside the house and had received a number of self-inflicted injuries for which he required hospital treatment.

Detective Superintendent Andy Murphy, from the Force Major Investigation Team said: “This was an absolutely tragic case involving the death of a woman and a young child in horrific circumstances and while we will probably never know exactly why Paul Chadwick did what he did I am satisfied with today’s guilty plea which at least spares the families the ordeal of a trial.

“Our thoughts remain with those affected by this most appalling case.”