A MAN has admitted trying to murder a 70-year-old man at his home.

Ryan Hynes, 21, tried to knife pensioner John Sales to death in the back garden of his terraced house in Hythe Hill, Colchester.

Hynes, of Long Road, Lawford, had denied attempted murder.

But during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, the former warehouse worker admitted the charge.

Retired Mr Sales, who lived alone, was stabbed in his neck, face, chest and back during the attack, at about 5.40pm on November 10 last year, as he arrived home.

Neighbours reported hearing shouting from Mr Sales’ back garden.

He sustained “life-changing injuries” and was treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge.

Dressed in a black suit and dark red shirt, Hynes spoke calmly and quietly as he admitted the charge in front of Judge Charles Gratwicke before being led away by court security staff.

The trial of three other people, charged in connection the stabbing, is scheduled to begin today at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Flash Ashley Day, 45, of Rose Allen Avenue, Colchester, Scott Moffat, 49, of Colchester Road, Manningtree and a 16-year-old girl from Colchester, who cannot be named by law, all appeared in the dock flanked by security staff.

The trio, who were dressed casually, spoke only to deny conspiracy to commit murder and perverting the course of justice.

Hynes, whose Facebook page states he has also worked as a barman in Manningtree, was remanded into custody by Judge Gratwicke and will be sentenced at a later date.