AN EVESHAM man has been jailed for murdering his partner.

Mark Pearce, 51, of Bewdley Street was jailed for 16 years and six months for killing Julie Hitch at the flat they shared in Evesham.

Pearce pleaded guilty to the murder charge on Friday September 23 at Worcester Crown Court.

Detective inspector James Bayliss from West Mercia Police said: "Following an argument during the early hours of the morning, Mark Pearce launched a brutal attack on his partner.

"This was an incident of domestic violence of the highest severity which sadly had tragic consequences for Ms.Hitch.

"The defendant has pleaded guilty to a truly horrendous crime and our thoughts are today with the family and friends of Ms.Hitch."

During the morning of Friday April 15, 2016, emergency services were called to the address, but 53-year-old Ms.Hitch was declared dead at the scene.

The defendant had stabbed her once, causing her to suffer fatal injuries.

Police were called by West Midlands Ambulance Service at 5.48am on the day in April to a report of a woman in cardiac arrest at a flat at Rowlands Court, in Bewdley Street.

For more information about the support available to victims of domestic violence and abuse go to www.westmerciawomensaid.org or call the Worcestershire 24 hour helpline on 0800 980 3331.