A teenager accused of murdering a former Welsh Guardsman who was kicked to death while sleeping rough in freezing conditions changed his plea to guilty today.

David Pallister, 18, of Ashley Road, South Shields, Tyneside, admitted killing ex-soldier Richard Jones on New Year's Day on the second day of the trial.

Police had preserved a formidable amount of forensic evidence from the snowy murder scene at South Shields promenade, where Mr Jones had been sleeping in a glass shelter.

Police said after today's hearing at Newcastle Crown Court that Pallister had shown no remorse for the apparently motiveless killing - and that he also and claimed to have no memory of events at the sea front.

Mr Jones, 47, originally from Treorchy, south Wales, had been the victim of a serious sexual assault, police said. Detective Superintendent Ian Sharp, who led the inquiry, said it had been one of the most professional investigations he had been involved with during his 28 years as an officer.

Forensics experts worked in sub-zero conditions for long hours and their work paid off with the discovery of a bloody fingerprint preserved in the snow.

Mr Sharp added: ''I cannot praise the staff who carried out the scientific work in this case enough.

''Northumbria Police and scientific support officers as well as scientists from Wetherby and London worked in freezing conditions - so cold that a mobile telephone battery actually froze.''

Mr Jones left the Army in 1981, then, following the death of his 80-year-old mother, went travelling in Europe and Scotland.

In August last year he settled in South Shields, becoming a familiar face on the sea front.

He was also being treated at South Tyneside General Hospital for depression.

Mr Jones was described as organised and intelligent and police said he chose to sleep outdoors, possibly harking back to his time in the Welsh Guards.

After the hearing, the dead man's brother, Roger Jones, said: ''We have been devastated by the death of my brother who was a gentle man who never raised his voice to anyone.

''He cared for our mother all those years and after her death decided to travel and see something of the world. ''We never thought it would come to this terrible end.

''We would like to thank the people of South Shields who showed kindness to my brother while he lived there, and also those who cared for him.

''We would also like to thank the police for helping us through this horrible time.''

Pallister was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on December 13.