Man admits murdering photographer

Nichols had 37 previous convictions including robbery

A 20-year-old man has admitted murdering an amateur photographer in a bungled mugging on Tyneside.

The body of Lee Phipps, 31, was discovered on a path close to his home in South Shields on 2 March. He had been stabbed through the heart.

Scott Trevor Nichols, of Borough Road, South Shields, admitted murder at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.

But a hearing will open on Thursday to decide whether Nichols intended to kill or cause serious bodily injury.

Judge David Hodson, the Recorder of Newcastle, said these issues needed to be resolved as they would affect the minimum term the court could set.

I have no doubt that Scott Nichols poses a real danger to the public Det Supt Steve Wade, Northumbria Police

Mr Phipps was attacked as he walked down a footpath on his way to take photographs of the snow-covered hills of Cleadon.

He fought back, but was stabbed several times in the chest.

Nichols pleaded guilty on the basis that he only used the knife to escape as Mr Phipps tried to apprehend him.

He claimed the knife was not used during the robbery.

The defendant insists he did not intend to kill him but instead cause serious harm.

Lee Phipps was in Cleadon Hills to photograph a recent snowfall

However, the prosecution reject this and say Nichols' intention was to kill.

Judge Hodson, will hold a Newton Hearing on 2 November to decide the facts.

Nichols - who has 37 previous convictions, including robbery, burglary, violence and carrying a knife - was remanded in custody.

Det Supt Steve Wade, who led the murder inquiry, said: "I am extremely satisfied with the result today and I have no doubt that Scott Nichols poses a real danger to the public.

"The sympathies of Northumbria Police are with the family of Lee Phipps, his mother Barbara, and dad Des."

Mr Phipps' father, from Bury in Greater Manchester, said: "I am shocked to hear that he had 37 previous convictions and I question why he was on the street.

"I hope that we can now just get on with grieving as a family."