Man pleads guilty to murder of woman found drowned

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a woman who was found dead in the River Thames in Oxfordshire.

Nelio Gouveia, 45, of Phyllis Court Drive, Henley-on-Thames, required a Portuguese interpreter when he entered his plea at Oxford Crown Court.

The body of Jennifer Symonds, 44, was recovered from the river at Phyllis Court Club early on 6 March. A post-mortem examination showed she died from drowning.

Gouveia, who was known to Symonds, will be sentenced on 20 November.

When Gouveia pleaded guilty to killing Jennifer Symonds, three of her friends who were in court looked relieved and emotional.

In the dock, the defendant was dressed in grey with a pullover tracksuit top and looked down at the floor during most of the 10-minute hearing.

Det Insp Rob Underhill said: "My thoughts remain firmly with Jennifer's family, who have lost someone who was dear to them.

"Nelio's actions on 6 March were heinous, and I am pleased that he has pleaded guilty.

"This case demonstrates Thames Valley Police's commitment to investigating violence against women and girls."