A MAN has admitted killing teenager Rebecca Hood.

The 18-year-old was found strangled to death at a house in Redhouse, Sunderland, on July 1.

Michael Taylor, of Rutherford Square, Redhouse, was charged with murder and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

The 29-year-old entered no plea, but through his barrister, Jamie Hill QC, accepted responsibility for Rebecca's death.

Mr Hill told the court: "Michael Taylor accepts responsibility for the unlawful killing."

The court heard that Taylor may be tried by a jury to determine his state of mind at the time of the killing.

He is being assessed by psychiatrists to see if he could have a defence of diminished responsibility.

Taylor will return to court on October 5.

Rebecca had lived in Whitburn, near Sunderland, during her early years, and attended Marsden Primary School before she moved to Washington, Wearside, with her mother, Lynn, 46, father, Colin, 45, and brother Shaun, 21.

After she left school, she worked at Storeys Carpets, in Washington, but took voluntary redundancy only days before her death.

She had been hoping to take driving lessons and look for a new career.

At her funeral, her family released hundreds of pink balloons from the churchyard.