A FAMILY say they are “glad the truth has come out” after a man pleaded guilty to murdering his long term partner and daughter.

William Owen, 55, had been due to face trial at Liverpool Crown Court this morning after police found their bodies at the family home on Home Farm Road, Knowsley, on November 28 last year.

But he altered his pleas at the last minute and admitted murdering Sharon Hayter, 54, and 29-year-old Stephanie Owen.

Speaking on behalf of Sharon's family, her brother, Darren Barnett, said: The family are satisfied following the guilty plea today in relation to the murder of our sister Sharon and niece Stephanie in November last year.

“In a previous court appearance it was suggested by the defence barrister that William Owen did not kill Stephanie and inferred that Sharon may well have murdered her own daughter.

“Today the truth has come out and he has pleaded guilty on both counts.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the police and Crown Prosecution Service for bringing the case to court.

"Sadly, we will never know why he murdered Sharon and Stephanie, and we are left with the lasting emotional scars and are still trying to come to terms with what has happened."

Following the conviction today, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cox, said: "Hopefully William Owen's guilty plea today will bring some sense of closure to a family who have lost a loved sister and niece.

"It must be difficult enough to come to terms with the loss of one family member in such tragic circumstances, but to lose two family members in this way is incomprehensible and our thoughts are with the family today.

"Today's conviction would not have been possible without the hard work of the investigation team and members of the Crown Prosecution Service and I would like to thank them for their endeavours over the last five months."