A 56-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murdering his 91-year-old father at the home they shared.

Robert Cordingley, of Bingley Road, Shipley , was due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court on October 15 accused of the crime.

But yesterday, at Bradford Crown Court, he admitted murdering his widower father, George, on January 15.

He will be sentenced on a date and at a court yet to be decided.

Mr Cordingley senior, who was well known nationally as a motorbike scrambling and trials competitor, was found strangled to death in the bedroom of the house he had shared with his son for many years.

An inquest was told in April that Cordingley stopped patrolling police officers to confess he had murdered his father. He was his sole carer and the only member of his family.

Silver-haired Cordingley, wearing a green jumper, was remanded back into custody after the hearing.

His barrister, Robert Smith QC, said he had met his client to consider psychiatric evidence. Mr Smith said Cordingley had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

He told Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC he would be meeting a forensic psychologist who would prepare a new report.

Mr Smith said the medical evidence fell short of a defence of diminished responsibility but he needed to know how much Cordingley’s condition contributed to what he did.

The sentencing hearing is expected to last up to two hours.

Simon Myerson QC, for the Crown, said Cordingley’s plea of guilty would be treated as coming at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Durham Hall said it was “a tragic case”. He told Cordingley he would hear at the earliest opportunity when and where he will be sentenced.

“Mr Cordingley, thank you very much. I have no doubt that you have considered Mr Smith’s, and others’, advice and I have no doubt that this course will resolve issues as best they can in this dreadful situation,” he said.

Cordingley thanked the judge before he was led back down to the cells.

His father ran Saltaire Garage for about two decades and was well known in the 1950s and 60s for motorbike racing.

He competed in the Scott Trial, the Ilkley Grand National and later the Ilkley Reunion Trial, when he retired from competition.

He was a founder member of the Bradford Vagabonds Motor Cycle Club and General Secretary of Yorkshire Classic Motor Cycle Club until 2009.