Teenager admits stabbing James Attfield and Nahid Almanea

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

James Attfield, 33, was stabbed 102 times in Colchester on March 29 2014.

Mr Attfield, who had a brain injury after being hit by a car, was found fighting for his life in the town's Castle Park. He died later in hospital.

Three months later, the boy killed Saudi student Nahid Almanea, 31, 16 times as she walked along the Salary Brook Trail towards Essex University on the morning of June 17 2014.

She was wearing a Muslim gown called an abaya when she was attacked.

The teenager, from Colchester, was arrested after allegedly being found with a lock knife on May 26 last year in the same area where Ms Almanea was killed.

During a hearing at the Old Bailey, he denied two counts of murder and possessing an offensive weapon but admitted two alternative counts of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

               Police searching Castle Park after James Attfield was killed

                Police searching the area near where Nahid Almanea was killed

Mr Justice Spencer allowed the prosecution time to consider the pleas.

A murder trial has already been fixed to start on April 11 at a venue to be decided, either in Guildford or central London.

A tearful couple, believed to be the boy's parents, sat in the well of the court and blew him a kiss as he sat flanked by officers in the dock.

                      The Old Bailey

The defendant, who wore a grey suit, leather jacket and black rimmed spectacles, spoke only to enter his pleas and confirm his name. He was remanded in custody.

UPDATE 3.10pm

DCI Morgan Cronin of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said after the hearing: "We hope that today’s guilty plea will provide the families of James Attfield and Nahid Almanea with some comfort by finally establishing who carried out their atrocious killings.

"The brutal manner in which they both died sent shockwaves through the community in Colchester and far beyond.

"At its height more than 100 detectives, uniformed officers, PCSOs and civilian staff were involved in these investigations and the response of Essex Police to keep people safe.

"Detectives worked tirelessly to piece together the evidence of how they died and to establish whether there was any connection between their deaths.

"Sadly we now know that one person, a 17-year-old boy, was indeed responsible. I would like to thank everyone who played a part in our investigations, and also pay tribute to the people of Colchester who supported us throughout this difficult time.”