Professional arm wrestler Clifford Arthur Neumann pleads guilty to murdering mother of five Victoria Ann Stewart at Morphett Vale

A professional arm wrestler has pleaded guilty to the most serious of criminal charges on just his second court appearance, and now faces a life sentence.

A professional arm wrestler has pleaded guilty to murdering a mother of five on just his second court appearance – and will now receive a mandatory life sentence.

However, Clifford Arthur Neumann’s extremely early confession may earn him a substantial discount on his non-parole period for killing Victoria Ann Stewart.

Under state law, an early guilty plea attracts a sentencing discount of up to 25 per cent, but the law also imposes a mandatory 20-year minimum term for murder.

Neumann, 40, had yet to plead to one count of murder when he faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Victoria Stewart. Pictures: supplied by family

Victoria was a mum of five.

Prosecutors had previously alleged he murdered a woman, whose identity was suppressed, at Morphett Vale in November 2023.

They further alleged Neumann and the woman, 39, of the Fleurieu Peninsula, were known to one another at the time of the incident.

Clifford Arthur Neumann has pleaded guilty to murder. Picture: Facebook

On Tuesday, Neumann’s matter was listed for charge determination – the date upon which prosecutors are to confirm whether they are maintaining, upgrading or downgrading their case.

After they confirmed they were proceeding with the murder charge as laid, counsel for Neumann said their client wanted to enter his plea immediately.

Asked, by Magistrate Simon Smart, for his plea, Neumann – who appeared by video link – loudly answered “guilty”.

Prosecutors asked Neumann be remanded to the Supreme Court for sentencing, and said the suppression order upon Ms Stewart’s identity could be revoked.

Mr Smart granted both applications and ordered Neumann face court again in July, when a date for sentencing submissions will be set.