A HOMELESS man covered a sleeping war veteran’s face with a cardigan - then smashed his head six times with a hammer.

Today Stuart Young, 23, admitted murdering 89-year-old Albert Fielding after being reported to police by his mother.

He carried out the ‘cowardly and evil’ crime before stealing £200 from the great-grandfather, of Limefield Court, Preston New Road, Blackburn.

Young had no choice but to plead guilty after making a confession to his mother during a prison visit.

Mr Fielding, who joined the Army in 1942 and served with the Royal Engineers, had a 'heart of gold' and generous nature which had often made him a target for people looking to take advantage, police said.

Detective Inspector Paul Broxson said if Young had asked the World War Two veteran for money, he would have given him it.

He said: “Albert always dealt in cash and it was common knowledge that he kept £200 on him most of the time. He would spend a few pounds on shopping and living expenses.

“The day before, Young and an associate had been introduced and stayed overnight at Albert's house.

“He gave Young's associate a substantial amount of money to buy some trainers.”

According to Mr Fielding's diary, in which he kept a log of everyone who visited, Young returned alone the next night, Thursday, October 21. It is thought he was looking for a place to stay and knew the pensioner had cash.

But police said that with Mr Fielding asleep on the settee, Young covered his victim's head in a cardigan and struck six heavy blows with the retired engineer's own ball-pane hammer.

The pathologist found pieces of skull embedded in his brain and police said the injuries were 'absolutely horrendous'. His lounge had been ransacked and his wallet emptied.

Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, who led the investigation said: “The strong suggestion is that Albert was killed whilst he was sleeping which makes the offence even more cowardly and evil.

“Stuart Young took advantage of Albert's caring nature and subjected him to a brutal attack. To take a life in this manner is quite barbaric.”

Detectives had amassed forensic evidence ready for a trial which put Young at the scene overnight on October 21-22.

They also had Mr Fielding’s meticulous diary entries which recorded his day-to-day activities, expenditure and visitors. Mr Fielding had noted Young’s arrival and departure at 10.10pm, before he crept back in to kill. Mr Fielding had no defence injuries.

Mr Fielding's family, including daughter Dorothy Doyle, her husband Terry, and granddaughter Susan Johnson, who had flown in from Ohio, USA, saw Young plead guilty at Preston Crown Court.

Judge Anthony Russell QC called it a 'particularly brutal' murder.

Mr Broxson said that after Mr Fielding's wife Dorothy died nine years earlier, he 'craved company and loved to tell tales'.

Although he had regular contact with relatives, including grandson Grant, who warned him he was 'being taken for a ride', he still 'sought out' people to recount his stories.

One alcoholic woman was given a restraining order for persistent harassment of Mr Fielding when his family told the authorities.

At the time of Mr Fielding’s shocking murder, neighbours told the Lancashire Telegraph that they had warned him he was a ‘a fool to himself’ and people were abusing his hospitality.

Mr Broxson said: “In exchange for company he would be generous with his money. Over the years people who had preyed on him had helped dwindle his funds by £10,000. He would leave the door open and security measures off, there's only so much you can do.”

Young, who police said had a history as a 'petty criminal', will be sentenced on March 11.

He had spent time in Chorley, Preston and Blackburn and had lived with foster parents in his youth.

Mr Broxson added: “He is very unemotional, almost as if nothing that has happened has registered and he doesn't comprehend how his actions have impacted on everyone, including himself.”

Young told his mum, who lives in Hereford, what he had done during a prison visit after his arrest and she made a statement to police.

Carer Anne Marie Hall, 54, of Witton Parade used to look after Mr Fielding and his wife.

She said: “It is unthinkable what has happened. He was too kind for his own good, but he knew what people thought about him and would still help anybody.”