A “jealous and controlling” 48-year-old man who used a hammer to smash his way into a residential property and kill a woman in front of her child has admitted murder.

Lloyd Byfield, of no fixed abode, murdered Leighann Duffy in her living room in Walthamstow using a hammer and a knife to inflict blows in what police describe as “an unprovoked and senseless attack”.

The Old Bailey heard how police were called to the property in Hatherley Road at 3:05am on September 1 last year to reports of a woman stabbed.

Officers and paramedics found Leighann Duffy suffering from stab wounds to her arm and neck.

A six-year-old child who witnessed the attack received treatment at the scene for an assault-related injury and did not attend hospital.

Ms Duffy was taken by London Air Ambulance to an east London hospital where she died two days later.

Byfield today was also found guilty of assault on the child.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Lloyd Byfield said "the devil came into his head" during the attack

Byfield used a claw hammer and a large kitchen knife and a homemade sheaf used to conceal the blade in the attack were found at the scene.

Byfield was arrested on September 17 in Walthamstow High Street after stopping a passing PCSO and admitting he was wanted by police.

Byfield told the PCSO that "the devil came into his head" during the attack and that "there was no point in hiding".

Despite this apparent confession, Byfield answered no comment during police interview.

However, forensics at the scene, phone records and witness accounts provided overwhelming evidence of his guilt.

Byfield has been remanded in custody for sentencing at the Old Bailey on April 10.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Leighann Duffy died two days after the attack in her Walthamstow home

Detective Chief Inspector Glen Lloyd, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command led the investigation.

He said: "This was a despicable attack on a woman at home with her young child - a place where she was entitled to feel safe.

“Byfield has shown callous and murderous intent by forcing his way in and then proceeding to inflict fatal injuries on Leighann Duffy in a pre-planned attack.

“Byfield was motivated by jealously as he had previously wished to pursue a relationship with Duffy.

“I can only hope today's conviction goes some small way to helping her family recover from what has been a horrendous ordeal."