A MAN has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he stabbed a man in the heart in an unprovoked attack in Crewe.

Cameron Albi Scragg, 21, formally of Gresty Road, Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday, June 12, where he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Stephen O’Brien, 51, in August 2016.

He has been remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced on July 28.

Scragg originally stood trial for Stephens’s murder in February, but, following a 14-day trial, the jury were unable to reach a verdict. A second man, Oliver John Dabbs, 19, was found guilty of murdering Stephen at the same trial; he was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 20 years to serve.

Stephen died on August 31, 2016, following an incident in a service road off Edleston Road, Crewe.

He died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest, which penetrated his heart; he had also suffered a fractured eye socket, voice box and cheekbone.

Det Chf Insp Helena Banusic, who was in charge of the investigation, said: “This has been a complex investigation and I would like to thank all those who were involved in the case. I would also like to express my deepest sympathy to Stephens’s family who have been deeply affected by his death.

“The fact that Scragg has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter means that Stephens’s family will no longer be required to endure a second trial and I hope that the final conclusion of this case will provide some closure for them.”

Chf Insp Paul Beauchamp of Crewe Local Policing Unit, said: Stephen’s death had a major impact on the local community, and I would like to thank local people for all of the support that they have provided throughout the investigation.”