A computer engineer has pleaded guilty in Britain to murdering a boy (14) he met after playing video games online.

Breck Bednar was found with a fatal neck wound at a property in Grays, Essex in February.

At the time of his death, his family, from Caterham, Surrey, said he had left home after arranging to meet a friend online.

Lewis Daynes (19) had denied murder but changed his plea on the day he was due to stand trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Dressed smartly in a grey suit with a white shirt and tie when he appeared in the dock, Daynes said "guilty" as the court clerk read the charge to him.

The victim's father, oil futures trader Barry Bednar, who is originally from Houston, Texas, was in court to hear Daynes' guilty plea.

Breck's mother, Lorin LaFave, said she was "heartbroken and lost" by his death and warned of the "dangers of online predators".

"He was murdered on my birthday this year and so much of me died as well. My poor triplets lost not only their adored big brother but also their mother," she said.

The teenager was described as an "incredibly smart, funny and cute" boy who "turned to his computer and the internet for entertainment".

Barrister Richard Whittam QC said it was the prosecution's case that the murder "involved a sexual, sadistic motivation".

Daynes, flanked by two security officers, looked straight ahead and showed no emotion during the hearing.

Mrs Justice Cox adjourned sentencing to January 12th.