A MAN who admitted murdering a 48-year-old in an alleyway could soon be facing life imprisonment.

Gareth Downham, 21, of Lancaster Road, Carnforth, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the murder of Kevin Steven Pedder at Carnforth on February 15 this year.

He was remanded in custody by Mr Justice Grigson at Preston Crown Court while a background report is prepared. He will be sentenced on November 28.

"This was a shocking incident which had a big impact on the community, where Mr Pedder was well-known," says DI Martin Clague of Lancaster.

"Gareth Downham pleaded guilty to the matter and this can be seen as a good result for the family and friends of Mr Pedder, as justice has been done."

A post-mortem revealed Mr Pedder died from 46 blunt force injuries to the head and face and had sustained two broken ribs.

The court heard how Downham had been drinking with Mr Pedder on the night of his death in the Carnforth Hotel and that the pair had left together.

Witnesses described how Mr Pedder became unsteady on his feet and said the situation was almost comical as Down-ham tried to help him across the road.

The two were last seen in an alleyway approaching the defendant's flat on Lancaster Road.

Mr Graham Morrow QC prosecuting, told the court: "No-body knows what went on in the flat. There were signs of a struggle with a blood-stained pillow and the empty wallet of the victim also found caked in blood."

He said evidence indicated that Mr Pedder was assaulted on the bed before being dragged outside into an alleyway where he was attacked again.

Mr Morrow added: "Downham had gone to the home of his girlfriend, Amanda Kitchens, on Windermere Road and called for a taxi."

The court heard how Downham told the operator: "I have got a body to move".

The court was also told how Downham claimed during police interviews that the victim had grabbed him around the waist and would not let go and that he made 'homosexual advances' on him.

Downham, who has a previous conviction for actual bodily harm, said he warned Mr Pedder that he would hit him if he did not let go and punched him in the face.

He maintained that he had blacked out and could not remember using anything but his fists. He accepted carrying out a further assault on the victim in the alleyway.

Richard Marks QC, mitigating, said the defendant understood that only a mandatory life term could be passed.