Man pleads guilty to murdering Vernon woman in England

A man accused of murdering 19-year-old Ashley Wadsworth of Vernon in England earlier this year has admitted to her murder.

Jack Sepple, 23, was arrested after officers were called to an incident on Feb. 1 in Chelmsford.

During that incident, Wadsworth, who had moved to the U.K. from Canada to be with Sepple, had sustained a number of stab wounds, and despite the best efforts of medics, she was pronounced dead.

Sepple appeared for a trial preparation hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court today and entered a guilty plea.

He will be sentenced Oct. 10.

Jack Sepple (Photo credit: Essex Police)

Detective Superintendent Scott Egerton, senior investigating officer with Essex Police, said the evidence against Sepple was overwhelming.

“He was left with very few options other than to admit his guilt,” Egerton said. “At the very least, today’s plea means Ashley’s family will be spared the heartache of having to sit through a trial.”

Egerton said he hoped Wadsworth’s family and friends “can feel some form of comfort knowing that Sepple is facing a substantial amount of time behind bars for his actions.”

Sepple is facing a life sentence for the murder.

Wadsworth flew to England in November 2021 to be with her boyfriend, Sepple. They met online and she was set to return to B.C. before she was killed.