belfasttelegraph

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Brother admits killing actress

Gemma McCluskie played Kerry Skinner in EastEnders

The brother of former EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie, found dead in a canal, now accepts responsibility for killing her, the Old Bailey has heard.

Tony McCluskie, 35, will now face trial on the issue of whether her death was murder or manslaughter, a judge said.

McCluskie, who lived in Peter Street, Hackney, east London, with his 29-year-old sister, was due to face trial next month.

But the trial has now been moved to January 14 next year, following the discovery of Gemma's head in the Regent's Canal near her home on September 9.

McCluskie, who appeared by videolink, was remanded in custody at the Old Bailey.

Gemma's headless and limbless body was discovered floating in the canal in March.

She had been missing for a week after attending the £650 million opening of the new Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.

The actress played Kerry Skinner in the BBC soap in 2001.

Friends launched extensive searches across east London in a bid to find her and former EastEnders co-stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella both appealed on Twitter for help.

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Your Horoscopes by Russell Grant

Gemini:

You never do anything in moderation. Attend every fun party, accept every juicy offer and try all the delectable treats spread before you. Avoid unpleasant people and activities like the plague. This should be a time of enjoyment. Leave your list of chores at home. You can always attend to these jobs at another time. If you have a chance to show your creative work to a publisher, manager or agent, go ahead. This is also a great opportunity to go on job interviews, auditions and first dates.More