Monster ADMITS murdering mum-of-four ex and her new lover as well as rape of another woman in night of horror
A MONSTER today admitted murdering his mum-of-four ex and her new boyfriend and raping another woman in a night of horror.
Katie Higton, 27, was stabbed to death alongside Steven Harnett, 25, inside her home in Huddersfield in May.
Marcus Osbourne, 34, appeared at Leeds Crown Court today where he admitted two counts of murder.
He also pleaded guilty to the the false imprisonment and rape of another woman on the same evening.
The court was told Osbourne killed the couple "in circumstances in which you planned the attacks and you executed them over a period of several hours".
He was remanded into custody to next appear at the same court for sentencing on October 4.
Judge Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, told him: "You have pleaded guilty to the murder of two people, your former partner Katie Higton and her subsequent partner Steven Harnett.
"You planned the attacks and executed them over several hours.
"During that period of time, you had the opportunity and time to reconsider.
"You will be sentenced to a term of life imprisonment. The minimum term of that sentence is what is to be determined."
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It can now be revealed Osbourne was jailed in 2013 for four years and ten months after he broke a previous girlfriend’s jaw in three places when she ended their relationship.
He was caged again for 16 weeks in 2015 after attacking another girlfriend, again when she split-up with him.
Osbourne told that woman she would "end up in a box" if she finished with him.
Both Katie and partner Steven were knifed to death during the horror attack, which came just hours after a cinema date.
She had shared a smiling selfie on her Snapchat just 12 hours before police found her dead in her own home.
Katie's former brother-in-law told how his sibling dated the mum for seven years and was the dad of her oldest two children.
He said the children were "in the property when the incident took place".
Katie was previously in a relationship with Osbourne after they met at the gym where he worked in 2018.
One pal claimed the controlling personal trainer cut her off from her male friends and rifled through her social media.
A week before the murders, he sent a chilling message to the friend warning him not to speak to Katie anymore.
West Yorkshire Police said previously it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following prior contact with the "parties involved".
The IOPC said: "This is due to the fact officers had contact with both victims, and a man who has since been arrested on suspicion of murder, in the days prior to this tragic incident.
"We will now assess the available information to determine what further action may be required."
Tributes previously flooded in for mental health nurse Katie, who had four children including a six-month-old baby.
One said: "Katie was one of my best friends.
"She was a brilliant mother and great nurse carer for the mentally ill.
“I’m heartbroken for her and her four kids - the littlest boy is only six months old."
While another pal wrote: "RIP my gorgeous!! You made me laugh when I needed to laugh and you were such amazing mum to the kids and amazing person!
"Don’t know how I’m going to carry on without seeing your kids, having a conversation with you or even our funny dances!!
Soo sorry gorgeous you were taken too soon!!
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"Your kids will be looking up at you I promise!! Love you lots missy! And will miss you so much!!"
