A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a "much-loved" dad who was found dead in a Middlesbrough home.

Maurice Bennett was found dead after an incident in Oakrise in Ormesby, Middlesbrough, on Friday, April 7.

Cleveland Police launched a murder investigation and arrested another man, 37-year-old David Thompson-Love at the scene.

Today, he pleaded guilty to murder during a short hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

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Judge Paul Watson KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, adjourned the case until September for sentencing.

The Northern Echo: Maurice BennettMaurice Bennett (Image: Cleveland Police)

He said: “You have pleaded guilty to murder and, as you know, the only sentence available in law is life imprisonment. The only thing the court will have to deem is how long you will serve as a minimum before being considered for parole.”

The Northern Echo: Scene of crime officers working at the scene of the murder on Oakrise, Ormesby.Scene of crime officers working at the scene of the murder on Oakrise, Ormesby. (Image: Michael Robinson)

The 54-year-old victim’s family issued a touching statement through Cleveland Police saying: “The tragic and sudden loss of Mozza has devastated our close family beyond measure.

“He was so loved and will be missed by so many.”