Joanna Dennehy will appear at Peterborough magistrates’ court to face the charges (Cambridgeshire Police)
Joanna Dennehy will appear at Peterborough magistrates’ court to face the charges (Cambridgeshire Police)

A woman has been charged with the murder of three men who were found stabbed to death in ditches in Peterborough.

The bodies of John Chapman, 56, and Lukasz Slaboszewski, 31, both from Peterborough, were discovered on 3 April at Thorney Dyke, four days after the body of 48-year-old Kevin Lee was found dumped in a ditch in Newborough on 30 March. The 48-year-old had also sustained multiple stab wounds.

Joanna Dennehy, 30, of Peterborough, has now been charged with the murders of the three men.

Grace Ononiwu, the chief crown prosecutor for the east of England, said: "We have today advised Cambridgeshire Police that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Joanna Dennehy over the deaths of three men whose bodies were found in ditches in Cambridgeshire.

"The decision in this case was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"Joanna Dennehy will appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on a date to be fixed. She now stands charged with very serious criminal offences and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice the trial."

Two other men have been charged in connection with the murders.

Leslie Layton, 36, of Orton Goldhay, was charged with perverting the course of justice in relation to the death of Lee. He is next due to appear in court on 20 June.

Robert Moore, 55, of Welland, has been charged with assisting an offender, and will next appear at Peterborough Crown Court on 8 July.

A 32-year-old and a 23-year-old man also arrested in connection with Lee's murder have been released on bail.