Man faces life over pensioner's murder

Michael Dalton, 44, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court yesterday to murdering Alan Pedder between August 26 and 30.

Police launched a murder hunt after the body of Mr Pedder, 80, a widower and former Army serviceman, was discovered by a relative visiting his address in Gibson Street, Laisterdyke, Bradford.

Neil Davey QC representing Dalton asked for sentence to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report until next month.

"It will assist in respect of the background of this man and the circumstances which led up to this offence and his attitude to it," he said.

Dalton, of Currer Street, Little Germany, Bradford, was remanded in custody to await sentence.

He was told by Judge Scott Wolstenholme: "The only sentence for murder is imprisonment for life. However, on sentencing you the court has to fix a minimum period which you must serve before you are considered for parole.

"The court also has to make a decision whether you remain in custody for life or indeed are ever eligible for parole. In coming to those decisions the court will be assisted by a pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service."