A MAN has admitted in court that he murdered a woman at her home in Whitefield.

William Mack had been accused of killing Leanne Wall, aged 36, at her house in Conway Avenue on February 12 and was due to stand trial on June 27 after previously denying the offence.

However, the 39 year old, of no fixed address, admitted the charge at Manchester Crown Court yesterday and the trial was cancelled.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Monday.

Mack’s admission means the Bury Times can reveal some details of the crime for the first time.

The unemployed dad of one appeared before Bury magistrates on February 15 – three days after he murdered Ms Wall, his ex-partner – and it was described to magistrates as a domestic violence case, as the pair had previously been in a relationship.

At that hearing, the court heard that Mack had broken into Ms Wall’s house on February 11 and hid in the attic overnight.

The next morning, when Ms Wall woke up, Mack approached her on the landing and headbutted her, the court heard.

He then grabbing a belt and strangled her, magistrates were told.

During the violent attack, their daughter Elise, who was aged 16 months at the time, was downstairs.

At 7.50am police received a call from a member of the public who was concerned for Ms Wall’s welfare.

Police attended and carried out a detailed search of the house and the surrounding area.

Mack was arrested on the hard shoulder of the M60 motorway nearby.

A post-mortem report revealed that Ms Wall had died due to compression to the neck.

The full details of the case have not yet been revealed to the court and will be outlined on Monday before a judge sentences Mack, who will remain in custody until then.

Ms Wall studied at Prestwich Arts College as a child and went on to work for a finance company based in central Manchester.

Paying tribute to her, Leanne’s parents, Brian and Karen, said she was a “loving mother, daughter and sister and a great friend to so many.

“Leanne was fun loving and hardworking, she had a big heart and will be forever missed.”

The case is being considered by Greater Manchester Police’s professional standards branch because Ms Wall had previously contacted police.