Killer admits murdering his ex after inflicting 123 injuries including cigarette burns on the 'frail, tiny' 36-year-old just weeks after being freed from prison following earlier attack

A killer has admitted to murdering his former partner who he left with more than 100 injuries including cigarette burns shortly after getting out of prison. Stephen Todd, 41, left 'tiny' Melissa Eastick with roughly 123 bruises, cuts, fractures and cigarette burns, which were caused during repeated assaults at his home. Newcastle Crown Court heard how Ms Eastick, 36, had also suffered a brain injury which would have left her unconscious for 'some days' before her death. Stephen Todd, pictured, left his former partner with roughly 123 bruises, cuts, fractures and cigarette burns, which were caused during repeated assaults at his home Melissa Eastick, 36, also suffered a brain injury which would have left her unconscious for 'some days' before her death After Todd's courtroom confession, prosecutor Peter Glenser KC told the court: 'He had just been released from prison in relation to an assault on her, weeks before.' Mr Glenser said their relationship had been 'turbulent to say the least' and Ms Eastick had spent time living in a homeless shelter but it appeared she was staying with Todd from around last August.