Man Admits Killing Sister in South London 2026

Key Points

• Andrew Cunningham, aged 62, of Greenland Quay, Rotherhithe, south London, admitted to killing his 57-year-old sister Margaret Cunningham.
• The fatal stabbing occurred on November 29, 2024, at a residence in Rotherhithe.
• Police responded to the scene just before 3pm, where Margaret Cunningham was found injured and transported to hospital, where she died later that evening.
• Andrew Cunningham was arrested at the scene in Rotherhithe and subsequently charged with murder.
• On the first day of his trial, February 9, 2026, at the Old Bailey, Cunningham appeared via video-link from custody.
• He denied the charge of murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.
• The plea was supported by medical experts from both the prosecution and defence.
• Prosecutor Nneka Akudolu KC informed the court that the plea had been reviewed at a high level and was deemed acceptable to the Crown.
• Coverage originates primarily from The Evening Standard, with no additional statements or details from other media outlets reported as of February 10, 2026.

Rotherhithe (South London News) February 9, 2026 – A 62-year-old man has admitted to killing his sister on the first day of his trial at the Old Bailey, pleading guilty to manslaughter rather than the original murder charge.​

Andrew Cunningham stabbed 57-year-old Margaret Cunningham to death on November 29, 2024, in a tragic incident that shocked the Rotherhithe community. Police attended the scene just before 3pm, where Ms Cunningham was found with severe stab wounds and rushed to hospital, only to succumb to her injuries later that evening. Cunningham, of Greenland Quay, Rotherhithe, was arrested at the location and charged with murder shortly thereafter.​

Who is Andrew Cunningham and What Happened on the Day of the Incident?

Andrew Cunningham, a 62-year-old resident of Greenland Quay in Rotherhithe, south London, carried out the fatal stabbing of his sister Margaret Cunningham, aged 57, on November 29, 2024. As detailed in coverage by The Evening Standard, police were called to the scene just before 3pm following reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers discovered Ms Cunningham suffering from stab wounds.

She was promptly transported to a nearby hospital but tragically died later that evening despite medical efforts.​

Cunningham was arrested on the spot in Rotherhithe by attending officers. He was formally charged with murder in the hours and days following the incident. No motive has been publicly disclosed in available reports, though the plea of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility suggests underlying mental health factors, supported by expert testimony.​

What Plea Did Andrew Cunningham Enter at the Old Bailey?

On February 9, 2026, the first day of his trial at the Old Bailey, Andrew Cunningham appeared via video-link from custody. The 62-year-old defendant, hailing from Greenland Quay, Rotherhithe, denied the charge of murder but entered a guilty plea to manslaughter.

This plea was specifically entered on the basis of diminished responsibility, a legal defence recognising that the defendant’s mental condition substantially impaired his ability to understand the nature of his actions or exercise self-control.​

As reported by The Evening Standard, the plea was accepted following agreement from medical experts representing both the prosecution and the defence. This consensus indicates that psychiatric evaluations from both sides aligned on the presence of qualifying mental impairment at the time of the offence.​

Why Was the Manslaughter Plea Accepted by the Crown?

Prosecutor Nneka Akudolu KC addressed the court during the hearing on February 9, 2026, explaining the Crown’s position on the plea. As quoted in The Evening Standard, Nneka Akudolu KC said the plea had been considered at a high level and was acceptable to the Crown.

This high-level review underscores the thorough scrutiny applied to such decisions, balancing evidential strength with expert medical opinion.​

The acceptance of the diminished responsibility plea avoids a full murder trial, streamlining proceedings towards sentencing. Diminished responsibility reduces a charge from murder to manslaughter under English law when abnormal mental states—such as severe depression, personality disorders, or other recognised conditions—are proven to have directly influenced the defendant’s actions.​

What Do We Know About the Victim, Margaret Cunningham?

Margaret Cunningham, aged 57 at the time of her death, was stabbed to death by her brother Andrew in their shared or associated residence in Rotherhithe on November 29, 2024. Coverage from The Evening Standard notes that police attended the scene just before 3pm, finding Ms Cunningham with fatal injuries. She was transported to hospital but passed away later that evening.​

Little additional personal detail about Ms Cunningham has been released in public reports, respecting family privacy amid the tragedy. Her death marks a poignant loss in the Rotherhithe community, where the siblings resided.​

Where and When Did Police Respond to the Incident?

The incident unfolded in Rotherhithe, south London, specifically at a property linked to Greenland Quay, home of Andrew Cunningham. On November 29, 2024, police were called to the scene just before 3pm.

Officers arrived promptly, discovering Margaret Cunningham with stab wounds. She was immediately taken to hospital by ambulance but died later that same evening.​

Andrew Cunningham was arrested at the Rotherhithe scene without further incident and held in custody pending charges. This rapid response facilitated his charging with murder soon after.​

How Did the Trial Proceedings Unfold on February 9?

The trial commenced at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court, on February 9, 2026. Andrew Cunningham, 62, of Greenland Quay, Rotherhithe, appeared via video-link, a standard procedure for defendants in custody.

He denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.​

Prosecutor Nneka Akudolu KC informed the court of the Crown’s acceptance of this plea, noting it followed high-level consideration and alignment of prosecution and defence medical experts. The hearing marked a pivotal shift from a contested murder trial to a manslaughter conviction, paving the way for sentencing.​

How Does It Affect Murder Charges?

Diminished responsibility serves as a partial defence in English and Welsh law, applicable to murder charges. It argues that the defendant’s

“abnormality of mental functioning”

substantially impaired their ability to understand their conduct, form rational judgements, or control themselves, reducing liability from murder to manslaughter. In Andrew Cunningham’s case, medical experts from both sides supported this basis, as reported by The Evening Standard.​

Why Do Prosecution and Defence Experts Agree Here?

Prosecutor Nneka Akudolu KC stated in court on February 9, 2026, that the plea was acceptable to the Crown after high-level review. This agreement reflects joint psychiatric assessments confirming the defence’s claims, avoiding disputed expert testimony at a full trial. Such consensus is not uncommon when evidence is clear-cut.​

What Happens Next in Andrew Cunningham’s Case?

Following the guilty plea to manslaughter on February 9, 2026, at the Old Bailey, Andrew Cunningham awaits sentencing. No date has been specified in The Evening Standard’s coverage, but manslaughter convictions typically result in custodial sentences, varying by case severity, the defendant’s culpability, and mitigating factors like diminished responsibility.​

The court will consider pre-sentence reports, victim impact statements if submitted, and the precise details of the offence. Sentencing guidelines emphasise public protection alongside rehabilitation prospects, influenced here by medical evidence.​

Has This Case Drawn Broader Media Attention?

As of February 10, 2026, primary coverage stems from The Evening Standard, detailing the plea, incident timeline, and court statements without additional outlets expanding significantly. No conflicting reports or further witness statements have emerged. The story’s focus remains on factual court developments in Rotherhithe.​

Local south London media may follow sentencing, given the family nature of the tragedy. Community reactions in Rotherhithe have not been publicly detailed.​

Background on Rotherhithe and Similar Incidents

Rotherhithe, a historic riverside area in south London, has seen its share of crime reports, though familial violence remains rare. Greenland Quay, Cunningham’s address, is a residential docklands spot. Margaret Cunningham’s death on November 29, 2024, prompted swift police action just before 3pm.​

This case echoes others where diminished responsibility pleas succeed, highlighting mental health’s role in violent offences. Prosecutor Nneka Akudolu KC’s acceptance underscores evidential rigour.​