Colyn Evans pleaded guilty to the murder of Karen Dewar

Colyn Evans, who was 17 at the time, pleaded guilty to murdering Karen Dewar in January in the Fife town of Tayport.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Evans strangled his victim, submerged her in a bath before putting her body in a wheelie bin and setting a fire.

Evans faces a life sentence, but the judge will later set how long he must serve before he can apply for parole.

Advocate depute David Young, prosecuting, asked to be allowed to give further details of the case on Friday.

We are completely devastated by what has happened. Our lives can never be the same. Frank Dewar Karen's father

The judge, Lord Philip, agreed to the continuation.

Evans, who turned 18 last month, admitted murdering Miss Dewar and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

He killed his victim at 67 Tay Street on Thursday 20 January.

The court heard that Miss Dewar, who lived in the same street as Evans, was repeatedly struck on the head.

Evans removed her clothing, forced her to wear underwear belonging to another person and cut her hair.

He cut her head and body with a knife, put a ligature around her neck, dragged her downstairs and put her in a bath, submerged her and held her head under water.

Evans later attempted to evade detection by trying to dismember the body and put it in a wheelie bin and set fire to it.

He also put her clothing and personal possessions in the bin and attempted to destroy them by setting fire to them.

'Completely devastated'

In a statement released by Fife Police, Karen's father Frank said she was "a chatty, happy girl who loved music, makeup, clothes and going out with her friends".

"She was such a likeable person who was so lovely, smiling and caring. We are completely devastated by what has happened. Our lives can never be the same," he added.

"We're relieved there has been a guilty plea today and that ourselves, and all Karen's friends, are not having to go through the ordeal of a trial."

Detective Superintendent Ian Hutton, the senior investigating officer in the case, said that he was relieved for the sake of Karen's family and the community of Tayport that Evans had pleaded guilty.