Man admits murdering university student

The parents of a young woman who was killed in her bedroom at a university hall of residence fled a courtroom in tears yesterday as a fellow student admitted her murder.

Jason Webster, 21, pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to murdering Rebecca Love, 26, a marine biology student .

Ms Love, from Wath-on-Dearne, South Yorkshire, a Hull University student, was found dead in May. She suffered 90 injuries after Webster, whom she knew, attacked her with a pen around her face, head and neck. Ms Love was also asphyxiated as Webster "squeezed the life out of her", police said.

Detectives said they were still struggling to establish a motive for the attack. But they believe Webster, a University of Hull history student, may have gone to see Ms Love, fuelled by drink, with the intention of sleeping with her. He then attacked her after the two got into an argument.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Garton said: "Rebecca did not want anything to affect her studies. They were more important to her than having a relationship with [Webster]."

He said Webster had admitted during police interviews that he visited Ms Love on 3 May, but insisted that he left her safe and well. Det Ch Insp Garton added: "He is a dangerous young man who has not only taken a promising young life but he has thrown his own life away too."

Webster was due to go on trial for murder next week but changed his plea to guilty at a brief hearing yesterday afternoon.

The judge, Mr Justice Irwin, said Webster would be sentenced at a later date.