The man admits to killing Sid Palmer during the murder trial that is about to begin

A 29-year-old man has admitted murdering Sid Palmer, 59, in a knife attack on Conduit Street, near Leicester station, on Saturday September 30 last year. Leicestershire Police and the ambulance service were called to the scene at around 7.30pm on the day in question and Mr Palmer, who had been stabbed in the chest, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Earlier this week, a jury was sworn in at Leicester Crown Court and the opening of the charge – when the jury hears the basic facts of the case against the defendants – was due to be heard this afternoon. Instead, barrister Mary Prior KC told Judge Timothy Spencer that her client wanted to be given a further chance to plead to the manslaughter charge against him.

Nathan Pritchard, of no fixed address, had been charged with both murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter but had previously pleaded not guilty to both. In front of the jury this afternoon, Pritchard stood in the dock and pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting he killed Mr. Palmer.

READ MORE: Man charged with murder of Sid Palmer in Leicester Conduit Street

The jury was then sent in for the day. The opening of the prosecution is expected to take place tomorrow. Pritchard has three co-defendants in the lawsuit.

Are:

• Victor-Eduard Raja, 24, of no fixed address, who is charged with murder and manslaughter
• Michael Boleyn, 31, of Great Central Way, Leicester, who is charged with manslaughter
• Leon Newton, 34, of no fixed address, who is also charged with manslaughter

The three continue to deny the allegations against them. The process is expected to take up to three weeks.