Man admits 'pen attack' murder

Rebecca Love was studying marine biology at Hull University

A man has admitted murdering a student by subjecting her to a violent attack including stabbing her with pens.

Jason Webster, 21, of Beverley Road, Hull, pleaded guilty at the city's Crown Court to murdering Rebecca Love.

He had been due to go on trial next week accused of killing the 26-year-old from Wath-on-Dearne, South Yorkshire.

Gary Burrell QC, prosecuting, said Miss Love died after a "violent attack that involved stabbing the head, throat and inside the mouth with pens".

Life sentence

Miss Love, who was studying marine biology at Hull University, was found dead in her halls of residence at The Lawns halls in Cottingham in May.

She had suffered 90 different injuries from the attack, the court was told on Wednesday.

Mr Justice Irwin QC said "an inevitable life sentence" would be passed on Webster after reports.

Webster is expected to be sentenced in November.

Rebecca was a beautiful young girl who was gifted, loving and caring David and Carol Love, parents

Det Ch Insp Tony Garton said it was the first time Webster had admitted any involvement in Miss Love's death.

He said: "He is clearly a dangerous young man who has not only taken a promising young life but has thrown his own life away too."

Earlier Miss Love's parents, David and Carol, left the courtroom in tears.

In a statement released through Humberside Police, Mr and Mrs Love said their lives "had been destroyed".

They added: "Rebecca was a beautiful young girl who was gifted, loving and caring.

"She had worked so hard to achieve her goals and ambitions and this has now so cruelly and brutally been taken away by Jason Webster.

"We feel that we too are his victims as we struggle through each day without her and try to come to terms with this needless act."