A judge has adjourned passing sentence for a second time in the case of an 18-year-old from South Shields who murdered a Welsh guardsman who was living rough in the town.

David Pallister changed his plea, and admitted murdering 47-year-old Richard Jones, on the second day of his trial at Newcastle Crown Court in November.

After listening to legal argument on Friday, Mr Justice Hooper adjourned the case until 24 January.

Mr Justice Hooper made his decision after hearing legal submissions from the defence.

Cycle tracks

He apologised for the delay to the family of the murdered man who had travelled from Wales to hear the sentence delivered.

He told Roger Jones, the dead man's brother, that the outcome of the legal argument was crucial to the tariff he would recommend for the sentence, which can only be life imprisonment.

Mr Jones had been sleeping rough in a seafront shelter at South Shields when he was attacked early on New Year's Day, 2002.

DNA match

The freezing temperatures and a covering of snow helped preserve evidence including footprints, bicycle tracks and a bloody finger-print.

A later DNA match delivered conclusive proof that Pallister was the killer.

Pallister, of Whiteleas, South Shields, was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.