Breck Bednar was murdered by teen Lewis Daynes
Breck Bednar was murdered by teen Lewis Daynes Essex Police

An online predator has admitted to stabbing 14-year-old schoolboy Breck Bednar.

Lewis Daynes, 19, of Rosebery Road, Grays, was due to stand trial for the murder of the 14-year-old pupil and until this morning (25 November) had maintained his innocence.

But before the jury was sworn in, he pleaded guilty to the killing as he stood in the dock at Chelmsford Crown Court. Breck's mother, Lorin LaFave, 47, broke down during the proceedings.

The court heard the murder "involved a sexual, sadistic motivation".

It is believed Breck befriended Daynes while playing online video games.

He reportedly told his parents he was going for a sleepover at a friend's house in Caterham, Surrey.

But instead he travelled 30 miles to Essex, where he died from a neck wound.

Breck attended St Bede's School, in Redhill, Surrey, and was described by his family in a statement as "kind, "intelligent" and "extremely gifted". He was also a member of the Air Cadets with the 135 Squadron in Redhill and a member of St John the Evangelist Church of England in Caterham.

Shortly after his death, his parents - millionaire oil futures trader, Barry Bednar, 49, and teaching assistant mother, Lafave - established the Breck Bednar Memorial Foundation to educate young people about the dangers of the internet.

"We urge anyone with an interest in helping young people safely use the internet to become involved in this important cause," they said.

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