Man pleads guilty to murder of mum-of-four as three others prepare to go on trial accused of perverting course of justice

Dean Johnstone, 43, has pleaded guilty to the murder of Karen Youdell

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a mum-of-four. It follows an incident involving Karen Youdell on Rose Bank Road, Newton Heath, on July 23, 2023.

The mum-of-four, 50, died months later on May 8 last year. Dean Johnstone, 43, was accused of the murder and appeared at Manchester Crown Court this afternoon (Wednesday, April 2).

During the short hearing, Johnstone, of no fixed address, entered a guilty plea. A trial date has been set for April 28 in relation to three other defendants accused of perverting the course of justice.

Yvonne Johnstone, 45, of Amos Street, Moston; and Glenn Nelson, 39, of Scotland Hall Road, Newton Heath, both previously pleaded not guilty.

Lisa Johnstone, 43, of Scotland Hall Road, Newton Heath, did not attend a mention hearing, but previously pleaded not guilty to the same offence.

The three defendants were granted bail ahead of the trial. Lisa Johnstone was told to attend a separate hearing on April 7.

Dean Johnstone was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.