Crime Watch

Student Pleads Guilty In Gut-Wrenching Homophobic Murder

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Back in February, University of Salford student William Lound (pictured) was found dead in his dorm room in Bramall Court halls of residence.

Now, a man named Lee Arnold, who’s already in custody, has admitted to stabbing Lound and is pleading guilty to the crime.

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According to Pink News, Greater Manchester Police say there’s still no clear motive for the killing, but they’re treating it as a likely homophobic hate crime.

Arnold appeared at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court via video link from Ashworth Hospital, and is expected to be sentenced next month. According to The Mirrorhe says, “I’m sorry, I take full responsibility and deserve to be punished.”

Manchester Evening News reports that Abdas Lakha, Arnold’s lawyer, said, “He is anxious to minimalize the pain and suffering to Mr Lound’s family. He is fully aware that William Lound’s mother is present in court today and has repeatedly expressed remorse and regret at the pain caused to the family by taking the life of their son.”

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Mr. Lound’s family remembers William as a man who was “so well liked and respected by so many,” and say he was a “very interesting character” with a “great sense of humor.”

They said it in a statement:

William had just embarked on a very promising future, which would have enabled him finally to reach his potential. He would have been a great asset in the IT world had he not been taken from us so early.”

“This has come as a huge shock to us all,” says Helen Marshall, Salford University’s Vice Chancellor Professor, “and our thoughts are with family and friends of the victim at this difficult time.”

To make matters all the more heartbreaking, Lound’s sister committed suicide only there months after his death.

Her mother Mo remembers her as a “bright, kind and incredibly hard working young woman.”

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