Thug, 21, who beat ‘loving’ mum to death as she walked her dog on beach before she was found drowned admits her murder
A THUG who beat a “loving” mum to death as she walked her dog on the beach before she was found drowned has admitted to her murder.
Claire Knights, 54, was reported missing on Wednesday 23 August 2023 before being discovered dead by her family two days later.
Her body was found between St Nicholas-at-Wade and Minnis Bay in Kent by her relatives who were carrying out searches.
The mum, from Upstreet near Canterbury, Kent, was believed to have been walking her dog, a white and brown spaniel called Zebulon, to the Minnis Bay area of Birchington prior to the attack.
Harrison Lawrence Van-Pooss pleaded guilty to Claire’s murder at a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court today, in which he appeared via video link.
21-year-old Van-Pooss, of Margate, Kent, made the plea ahead of a trial set for the case in March next year, after it was pushed back from June this year.
It comes following a number of mental health assessments and medical reports, after he was charged with her murder in September 2023.
In June, the prosecution suggested Van-Pooss may have been lying as he gave an account weeks before the trial that he had met Claire while out walking and had become angry due to a “sexual advance” from her.
The prosecution added that the defendant had been “manipulating” self-reporting assessments, but the defence asked for more time to explore a range of issues and not rush through the process.
Stephen Moses KC, defending Van-Pooss, told the court today it was accepted the partial defence of diminished responsibility was not met after a further report seen in November.
He added that the 21-year-old’s previous account of Claire must have been a forced memory.
Van-Pooss also pleaded guilty to using a mobile phone under a woman’s clothing without her consent for the purpose of sexual gratification in a separate incident the day before the murder.
The sentencing for Van-Pooss may take up to two days on dates to be set in the new year.
An inquest into Claire’s death, held last year, heard that the mum died from blunt force trauma and drowning.
Her dog, Zebulon, had been found running loose on the beach, with her car parked in nearby St Nicholas-at-Wade.
Following her death, a family statement released by Kent Police said: “Claire was a loving mum, partner, daughter and sister.
“An amazing contemporary artist, a trailblazer in life.
“She loved animals and in particular her springer spaniel, Zebulon.
‘OUTSTANDING AND EXCEPTIONAL’
“We, the family, are struggling to come to terms with the fact she is no longer with us.
“We wish to thank friends and the community for their active support and kind words.”
Claire also received a tribute following her death from The Margate School, which she had joined 2019 to study a Masters in European fine art.
It said: “She was an outstanding and exceptional artist, whose work reflected her complex, loving nature.
“Her sculptural work had elements of humour and wit alongside the determination.”
“Her presence will be sorely missed, she was a frequent visitor to exhibitions and events at TMS with her partner, and she formed strong bonds with her fellow students and friends at the school.
“Memories of her and with her, will be held fondly.”