Guilty plea to barbecue attack

The attack happened in Londonderry

An 18-year-old has pleaded guilty to an attack at a barbecue which left a Londonderry father-of-one in a coma.

Daryl Proctor, from Derry's Fountain estate, was charged with attempting to murder Paul McCauley but pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr McCauley and two others were clearing up after the barbecue in Chapel Road in 2006 when Proctor, then aged 15, attacked them.

He was released on continuing bail and will be sentenced next month.

Proctor also pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on two other men who were at the barbecue.

A prosecution barrister asked Belfast Crown Court that the charge of attempted murder be "left on the books".

Paul McCauley, who was 30 at the time of the attack, has never regained consciousness.