Man admits murdering one of Britain's youngest soldiers to serve in Afghanistan on night out in Redruth

A 21-year-old man has admitted killing a young British soldier after a night out in his home town. Liam Laing, of Chacewater in Cornwall, pleaded guilty to murdering 20-year-old Afghanistan veteran Dave Curnow.

A second man, 21-year-old Connor Hammond from Redruth, denied the same charge and will face trial in April. Laing will be sentenced after his trial at Truro Crown Court.

Both men were remanded in custody.

Rifleman Curnow was posted to Helmand Province in March 2013, just days after his 18th birthday, and was one of the youngest ever British soldiers to serve in the war-torn country.

He was allegedly attacked in his home town of Redruth after a night out last September and died later in hospital. Rifleman Curnow was a member of 4 Rifles and he was described as a brave and competent soldier by his commanding officer.

After his death in September friends of Dave Curnow described him as a "top, top bloke" and "a really phenomenal human being".

A vigil was held in Redruth a week on from when the young soldier died a day after being found with head injuries in the town.The town said goodbye to him in a funeral at Truro Cathedral where he was given full military honours.