CHEF Jonathan Stasiuk has today admitted the murder of former councillor Gerry White.

The 60-year-old originally denied murder but changed his plea today as his trial, at Southampton Crown Court, neared the end.

Mr White was killed at the Lake Community Gardens, Isle of Wight, on May 27.

Police received a report that Mr White had been seriously assaulted.

When officers attended they found the 73-year-old, of Talbot Road, Sandown, dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination recorded the cause of death as compression of the neck.

Stasiuk previously pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility - which the prosecution did not accept.

A trial began at Southampton Crown Court on Monday, November 4.

It was the first murder trial in the history of Southampton Crown Court.

Senior investigating officer, DI Toby Elcock, said: “This was a brutal attack on a much-loved and respected member of the community.

“Jon Stasiuk shockingly acknowledged that he was the man responsible for killing Gerry White, and yet showed absolutely no remorse for his death throughout the entire process until his trial.

“Late in this process he has come to terms with what he has done and has at last made full admissions to the jury, having previously tried to plead guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility – a plea that we did not accept.

“Our thoughts are with Mr White’s family and friends who have had to endure a lengthy criminal justice process.”

Stasiuk, of Pier Road, Sandown, will be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday.