Teenager Admits Murder Before Trial

3 May 2012, 17:30 | Updated: 3 May 2012, 17:34

A teenager has admitted murdering a man in Hemel Hempstead town centre last November - just 5 days before he was due to stand trial.

The 17-year-old changed his plea to guilty to the murder of Billy Dove when he appeared at St Albans crown court today.

Mr Dove, 21, died from a stab wound in the Marlowes at 1.30 on Sunday morning November 6 last year following trouble in Market Square.

Co-defendant Charlie Samson, 18, of St Agnells Lane, Hemel changed his plea to guilty of affray on the same night.

Prosecutor Ian Wade QC said he would offer no evidence against Samson on the charge of murder. Judge Stephen Gullick entered a not guilty verdict to that charge.

Mr Wade said it was not in the public interest to purse the charge of affray against the teenager. It was left on the court file.

Both men are due to be sentenced by Judge Gullick on 29 June once pre-sentence reports have been prepared. The case will be opened by Mr Wade on that occasion.

The teenager was remanded in custody. Samson was bailed to an address in Northampton and was ordered not to enter Hertfordshire unless it was to appear in court.

Carl Williams, 21, of Barnacres Road, Hemel has pleaded not guilty to affray. His trial is due to start on 21 May.