A hoodie-wearing yob has admitted killing a dad of two in the street - just eight days after he was made the subject of an ASBO.

Gary Prescott, 16, attacked victim Thomas Noble, 53, when he tried to break up a fight between a gang of teenagers.

The married taxi driver fought for his life in hospital after the assault near his home in Roker, Sunderland, but lost his brave battle just two days later.

It is believed he was hit from behind with a weapon and smashed his head on the pavement when he fell from the force of the blow.

Prescott, of Kinghorn Square, Sunderland, had been made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order of April 14 by Sunderland youth court which prevented him causing harrasment, alarm or distress or consuming alcohol in public.

During a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday Prescott, wearing a blue Adidas hoodie over an oversized white t-shirt, admitted breaching the ASBO when he lashed out at Mr Noble.

He also pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Noble.

Despite Prescott's young age prosecutor Brian Forster QC took the unusual step of making no application to the judge for an order which would prevent the press publishing details of Prescott's identification.

Mr Forster said; "His identity should be made known to the public given that only days before this order had been made by the youth court."

Prescott showed no emotion as she was remanded in custody and told he would learn his fate on July 6.

Defence barrister Tony Hawks said he accepted the sentencing judge would have to consider detention for life or a longer than usual sentence for the protection of the public.

Judge David Hodson ordered pre-sentence reports but told Prescott: "The fact these reports are being ordered does not indicate in any way the nature of the sentence you will receive.

"All sentencing options as far as you are concerned will be open to the court."

Emergency crews had been called to the sence of the attack on Roker Baths Road just after 8.50pm on Friday April 22 and found Mr Noble lying unconscious in the street.

The assault happened just yards from his terraced house in Moreland Street.

Mr Noble suffered a heart attack while on the way to hospital.

He was put onto a life-support machine and his family kept a bedside vigil but he died.

Ten youths were arrested by police in connection with the incidents and nine were later released.

As well as being prevented from causing harrasment and distress and drinking alcohol in the street, Magistrates had also ordred Prescott must not steal or interfere with motor vehicles and must not knowingly drive or be carried in a stolen vehicle.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Noble's body was due to be carried out yesterday.

Neighbour Nigel Henderson, 28, of Roker Baths Road, said he was at his home when Mr Noble was attacked and saw a gang of youths running away from the scene.

He described Mr Noble as a "family man and a great bloke".

He said: "It is lively round here, but this is still a shock. You do get a lot of kids hanging around in the street with nothing to do, which is a problem, but I have been living here for years and this is the first time anything like this had happened.

"This is a worry. I have four kids aged under 11 and under but I can't just keep them in. I will be keeping a closer eye on them after this, though.

"The worrying thing is, it could have been anyone. He was at home when he heard a noise outside and went outside to break things up. He was just trying to help."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said her daughter had heard Mr Noble's wife screaming for help in the aftermath of the attack.