A MAN who murdered a friend and seriously injured the man’s brother has been told by a judge to expect a life sentence.

John Donnison, 23, of no fixed address, yesterday appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he admitted murdering Daniel Laidlaw, 30, and a charge of wounding Christopher Laidlaw, 27, with intent at New Kyo, Stanley, County Durham, in July.

Donnison denied an original charge of attempted murder in relation to Christopher Laidlaw, and prosecutor Mark Giuliani told the court that the pleas were acceptable to the Crown.

Toby Hedworth QC, for Donnison, asked for a report to be prepared before his client was sentenced and told Judge David Hodson that he had already obtained psychiatric reports on Donnison.

Donnison spoke only to confirm his name and give his pleas during the short hearing.

The judge adjourned sentencing until the week of October 18 for a report to be prepared and again remanded Donnison in custody.

He told him: “No doubt you have been informed that the only sentence I can pass on count one is the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.”

He said the court would have to decide the minimum term Donnison would have to spend in jail and that the report would help in determining that.

The charges stem from an incident in the kitchen of a house in Edward Terrace, New Kyo, on Saturday, July 17, when an argument broke out during an afternoon drinking session. Both victims, who lived in the street, were stabbed.

Christopher Laidlaw was in a critical condition and was kept in the high dependency unit in hospital in Durham City, where he underwent surgery.

The incident shocked the quiet community, where one woman said at the time: “Most people keep themselves to themselves, so the thought of someone being killed in your street is horrific.”