A TEENAGER has admitted killing a man who was found with stab wounds in a County Durham village in the summer.

Josh Johnson appeared at Teesside Crown Court for the murder of 32-year-old Dale Arnold in Kelloe on August 3.

He denied the charge of murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter - a plea accepted by the prosecution on Tuesday.

The Northern Echo:

Floral tributes left at the scene of the fatal stabbing. Photo Tom Banks

Johnson, 19, of Middlewood, Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 20.

He appeared on a live video-link from Holme House Prison in Stockton, for the 15-minute hearing in front of Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC.

Mr Arnold, a former Sky engineer, was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he died of his injuries.

A large-scale man-hunt was launched after the day-time stabbing, and Johnson was later arrested in his home village.

Johnson, wearing a white polo T-shirt, spoke only to say he understood the proceedings. His family were in the public gallery.

Prosecutor Tim Roberts, QC, told the court that the decision to accept the manslaughter plea was after "lengthy consultation".

The Northern Echo:

Police at the scene of the incident

He had spent an hour with Mr Arnold's mother, Kathleen, on Monday, and explained how the case was likely to proceed.

Judge Bourne-Arton said he approved the move after "considering with great care" the background to the killing.

Before the hearing next month, Mrs Arnold will be given the chance to prepare a victim impact statement to be read.

Mr Roberts told the court: "The case will be ready to proceed on December 20 when all the parties can reassemble.

"The prosecution are willing to accept the guilty plea to manslaughter as satisfying the justice of this case.

"We have explained the position directly and comprehensively to the family of the deceased."

A major police investigation into the death involved around 30 detectives and specialist staff working around the clock.

Crime scene investigators carried out forensic examinations of Front Street and also Mr Arnold's house, in School Avenue.

Mr Arnold was keen on fitness and training sessions and could be seen locally every day, taking his dog, Max for a walk.