A 47-YEAR-OLD man has admitted unlawfully killing his stepfather in what the judge described as “a tragic case.”

Alistair Throup, who is in the Hospital Wing at Leeds Prison, appeared before Bradford Crown Court on a video link yesterday.

Throup, of Oakland Street, Silsden, pleaded not guilty to murdering Philip Slater on the morning of Friday, September 8.

He admitted the lesser alternative offence of manslaughter after a conference with his barrister, Peter Moulson QC.

Simon Waley, barrister for the prosecution, said the Crown had seen a psychiatric report prepared for Throup’s defence lawyers. He asked for six weeks in which to commission a psychiatric report for the prosecution before the decision is made on whether to accept the plea to manslaughter.

Mr Moulson said the defence team was obtaining a second psychiatric report before the case comes back to court on December 21.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, said: “This is a tragic case.”

Throup’s plea of guilty was the only possible alternative to the charge of murder, he stated.

Judge Durham Hall kept the provisional trial date of March 5, set at the last hearing.

He told Throup: “Now, Mr Throup. Thank you very much. You have pleaded guilty to a very serious alternative to murder and everyone is looking at that with great attention.”

The judge said the case may proceed to sentence at the next hearing, when Throup must be present in court, and that victim personal statements would be available on that date.

He remanded Throup back into custody.

Throup replied: “God bless you sir.”

His mother and niece were in court for the short hearing.

Mr Slater suffered fatal stab injuries in an incident in Oakland Street shortly after 8.15am.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The street was cordoned off for a number of hours after Mr Slater’s body was found as police forensics officers carried out investigations at the scene.