A 55-YEAR-OLD man has admitted stabbing his partner to death at his home in Crowthorne.

Michael Rough pleaded guilty on Friday at Reading Crown Court to killing his girlfriend Jackie Pattenden, 53, on October 2 last year, after feeling 'depressed and stressed' about work.

Shortly before 11.30pm police received a call from Rough's home in Ellis Road, saying he had stabbed his girlfriend, that she had died and he was going to kill himself.

Officers attended the property and were let in by Rough and went upstairs where they found Jackie, 53, in a bedroom unresponsive.

Jackie died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination showed she had died from a stab wound to her chest.

Rough, owner of Wentworth Tree Care Ltd, who had also stabbed himself, was arrested at the scene.

He was charged with her murder in connection with the offence on October 11 and entered a guilty plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

Paying tribute to his mother after her death, Phil Pattenden said she had been the happiest he had seen her the whole year after ending cancer treatment.

In a statement, he said: "None of us had seen her happier; she had just come off her cancer medication, recently been promoted and seemed to really be getting her life back.

"To be taken away so soon just seems such a massive shame. Mum will now never get to see the day I get married, or live to see the grandchildren that she always wanted, all her efforts went into me/family and she hasn’t got to experience any of these natural joys of life. It is such a huge loss, affecting so many.

"She was an amazing mother, sister, cousin, niece and friend; much loved by everyone she came into contact with for her kind, caring and chatty nature. "

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Ailsa Kent, of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime unit, said: "Michael Rough and Jackie had been involved in a relationship since the beginning of 2016 which appeared to those who knew them to be happy with no suggestion of violence or arguments between them. However after reporting feeling depressed and stressed over work, on the evening of October 2 Rough stabbed and killed his partner Jackie.

"Rough has admitted unlawfully killing Jackie and I'm pleased her family will not have to go through the anguish of a trial. I hope his guilty plea will enable those who knew and loved Jackie to have a sense of closure and be able to move on from this utterly tragic time in their lives."

Rough is due to be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on April 28.