Boy, 13, Admits Murder After Builder Stabbed

A 13-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to murder after a 53-year-old man was stabbed in a row outside a block of flats.

The child, who cannot be named, admitted the attack on builder Christopher Barry in Edmonton, north London, on 14 December last year.

Mr Barry was said to have been involved in a "minor verbal altercation" with a group of youths, who had tried to get into a party at another property in the block of flats where he lived.

Police said two of the boys had followed him into the block in The Broadway before he was stabbed in the chest.

Medics were unable to save Mr Barry and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The defendant's parents were at court for the five-minute hearing, as were relatives of Mr Barry, who was originally from County Cork in Ireland.

When asked to confirm his name, the boy replied: "Erm ... yes." He spoke to his father briefly before the court clerk put the charge to him.

His 'guilty' plea was almost inaudible.

Dressed in a light blue shirt and grey trousers, he was remanded into custody by judge Anthony Morris.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence report ahead of sentencing on 10 April.