John Broadhurst’s police mugshot, issued after he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter part way through his murder trial at Birmingham Crown Court
A multimillionaire property tycoon has admitted killing his girlfriend during a kinky alcohol and drug-fuelled S&M sex session at their home.
John Broadhurst, 40, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Natalie Connolly, 26, part way through his murder trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
The businessman, of Wolverley, Worcestershire, had denied battering his partner of six months to death and claimed he had only hurt her ‘within the boundaries of her masochistic desires.’
Miss Connolly was discovered wearing only a black skirt which was pulled up to her waist at the couple’s £600,000 home in Kinver, West Midlands on December 18 2016.
Police revealed after the case that he phoned emergency services after killing Natalie and told operators his girlfriend was as ‘dead as a doughnut.’
Jurors were told how Broadhurst may have wanted to ‘teach Natalie a lesson’ after finding out she had been sending topless pictures to another man on social media.
The mother-of-one was killed after the couple had spent a day drinking alcohol and taking cocaine before engaging in ‘rough sex’ .
Miss Connolly was found in a pool of blood at the base of the staircase having suffered over 40 injuries – including blunt-force trauma to her head, buttocks and breast.
Miss Connolly (pictured) was found in a pool of blood at the base of the staircase on December 18 2016, having suffered over 40 injuries – including blunt-force trauma to her head, buttocks and breast
She had also suffered horrific internal injuries which were inflicted during a bizarre sex game involving a bottle of carpet cleaner.
Broadhurst, a property developer with a fortune of around £15 million, went on trial last month charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Today he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of gross negligence having left her body at the foot of the stairs without contacting the emergency services.
Mr Justice Julian Knowles instructed the jury to find Broadhurst not guilty on the charges of murder and GBH.
Addressing Broadhurst, he added: ‘You have pleaded guilty to an offence of manslaughter by gross negligence.
‘Whilst is it not under the charge of murder it is still an exceptionally serious offence.
‘I have ordered for a pre-sentence report.
‘The fact that I am granting you bail, you should be prepared for a custodial sentence of some length.
‘I will await to have heard from both sides and then I will decide on the sentence. All sentencing options are open.’
Gemma Andrews, twin sister of Natalie Connolly, pictured outside Birmingham Crown Court today (left) and Broadhurst, right, as he left the court building following his guilty plea
Wearing a blue suit and a white shirt, Broadhurst remained emotionless as he sat in the dock during the hearing.
Prosecutor David Mason QC explained to the jury that the crown had accepted Mr Broadhurst’s admission after legal discussions.
He said: ‘The evidence in this case is extremely usual – the evidence has been complicated.
‘It is felt the appropriate way of proceeding the case is for Mr Broadhurst to plead guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence.
‘That is the plea that has been entered.
Miss Connolly was discovered wearing only a black skirt which was pulled up to her waist at the couple’s £600,000 home (pictured) in Kinver, West Midlands on December 18 2016
‘In particular the family have been consulted and are content and have agreed to take the plea from Mr Broadhurst.’
The trial was told how Natalie called Broadhurst ‘the boss’ and the pair would regularly enjoy S&M sex sessions during which he would smack her bottom with a belt.
The couple first started an affair while Broadhurst was in a relationship with his pregnant long term partner before eventually getting together in July 2016.
But the court heard Natalie, a receptionist, had been sending another man photos of her wearing underwear and messaging her ex-boyfriend.
Prosecutors alleged the property developer may have found out about this and killed her in a rage before spraying her face with bleach to clean off the blood.
Mr Mason told the jury previously how Natalie’s fatal injuries were consistent with ‘punch or toe-poke kicks’.
He added: ‘Broadhurst has lost it with Natalie that night.
‘He has beaten her with fists and weapons, punched or kicked her to the face, severely damaged her private parts and lied about it afterwards to cover his tracks.’
Earlier on that day, the couple had spent the afternoon drinking after watching West Bromwich Albion play Manchester United before going for a curry.
They were taken home in a chauffeur-driven Range Rover where the party continued in the kitchen and the pair consumed more alcohol and about two grams of cocaine.
Broadhurst, claimed Natalie later indicated that she wanted to have masochistic sex and had found her dead at the foot of the stairs the following morning.
Post-mortem analysis found she died from her injuries in conjunction with alcohol intoxication. She was found to be more than five times the drink-drive limit.
During the trial Natalie was described by pals as ‘a free spirit’ who was ‘full of fun’ and ‘always the life and soul of the party.’
The pair had been due to spend Christmas in Dubai with the defendant’s family and Natalie’s daughter from a previous relationship.
The court was also played a 999 call made by Broadhurst in the morning of December 18, 2016, in which he said: ‘I think she’s probably dead.
‘I woke up this morning, went downstairs. We had been drinking. She’s lying on the floor.’
He repeatedly exclaimed ‘Oh my God’ as he tried to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on her.
After the hearing Detective Inspector Victoria Downing, of Staffordshire Police, said: ‘Natalie was callously and cold-heartedly left fatally injured at the bottom of the stairs by Broadhurst.
‘Yet he didn’t call for help until 9.30am and then showed total disregard for what he had done when he spoke to the emergency services.’
Broadhurst will be sentenced on December 17.