Man, 45, pleads guilty to murdering former Microsoft manager who was found drowned beside a Henley private members' club
Jennifer Symonds, 44, a senior customer success account manager at Microsoft's Reading headquarters, whose murder sentencing is set for 20 November before Mr Justice Jay.Nelio Gouveia, 45, who pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday to drowning Jennifer Symonds, used a Portuguese interpreter during the brief hearing and bowed his head throughout.
Nelio Gouveia, 45, a kitchen porter at Phyllis Court Club, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday to drowning Jennifer Symonds, 44, on 6 March — with sentencing reserved for a High Court judge, a step normally taken only in the most serious murder cases. Gouveia required a Portuguese interpreter and kept his head bowed throughout the brief ten-minute hearing.
Three of Jennifer's friends were in court and appeared emotional and relieved after the guilty plea.
CCTV captured Symonds at a nearby bistro at 9.05pm the night before her body was found, accompanied by a male friend.
Detective Inspector Rob Underhill called Gouveia's actions 'heinous' and said he was pleased a guilty plea had been entered; sentencing is set for 20 November.
