A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a young Sicilian couple who were killed while living in the North East.
Andrea Cardinale was accused of murdering 26-year-old Antonio Calabro, known as Nino, and his 20-year-old fiancé Francesca Di Dio late last year.
The bodies of the couple were found in a flat on Thornaby Road, Thornaby on December 21.
This morning, the bearded 22-year-old appeared before Teesside Crown Court via a video link from Durham Prison where he denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
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According to reports Francesca had travelled from Italy to visit her partner for Christmas before they were both found dead.
Judge Paul Watson KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, remanded Cardinale in custody until his sentencing hearing.
He said: "I approve of the course taken by the Crown Prosecution Service, I wholly understand and endorse the decision to accept the plea of manslaughter by means of diminished responsibility due to the psychiatric report in this case."
A police cordon remained at the scene for a number of days while forensic investigators worked at the scene.
The families of the victims are both being supported by specialist officers.
The judge set a provisional sentencing date of August 15 but anticipated that date would change to allow time for psychiatric reports to be compiled.
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