A MAN has admitted to murdering Blackburn dad James Murray.

Lee Kenyon, 35, appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to murder.

Kenyon also pleaded guilty to wounding another man, Jordan Barton, with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon - a machete - in a public place.

Wearing a green jumper Kenyon, of Hall Street, Blackburn, spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, nationality and enter his guilty pleas.

Judge Mark Brown, The Honorary Recorder of Preston, remanded him in custody until his next hearing on March 5.

At that hearing, which has been reserved with a one day estimate, there will be a trial of issue after the prosecution rejected Kenyon's basis of plea. Following the outcome of that hearing, which will be held in front of a High Court Judge, Kenyon will be sentenced for all three offences.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after Mr Murray, 51, was found by neighbours with stab injuries in Largs Road in the Shadsworth area of Blackburn at around 1.30am on October 2, last year. Mr Murray, who was known to his friends as ‘Jimmy’, was treated by neighbours and paramedics before being taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Officers had been called to Blackburn 24 hours earlier after Mr Barton suffered stab wounds to the arm and back after being attacked by Kenyon close to the Texaco Garage in Grimshaw Park. He was also taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital but his injuries, although serious, did not prove fatal.

Members of Mr Murray's family have attended court throughout the proceedings.