A 30-year-old man from Hitchin has admitted killing 57-year-old William Floyd who was found having been stabbed in the back with a knife at his Stevenage flat.

Robert Fisher, 30, of Nightingale Road in Hitchin, today pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court to the manslaughter of Mr Floyd – known as Bill – at the Harrow Court tower block in Silam Road on Sunday, March 12.

At an earlier hearing, he had denied murder.

Prosecutor Martin Mulgrew accepted the plea of guilty to manslaughter, and there will no longer be a trial.

Mr Mulgrew told Judge Richard Foster: “There has been discussion between the Crown and defence.

“Mr Floyd had placed knives around his home because he was frightened of attacks.

“Given the evidential issues, the Crown took the view that the plea to manslaughter would be acceptable.”

On Sunday, March 12, officers found Mr Floyd dead in his flat in Harrow Court after concerns were raised for his welfare.

Herts police have issued a statement saying Fisher and Mr Floyd, who were known to each other, had become involved in an argument on March 6 which resulted in Mr Floyd being stabbed in the back by Fisher.

He then left Mr Floyd in the flat undiscovered for almost a week.

Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “Mr Floyd had a chaotic lifestyle and had slipped into alcoholism. He associated with many of the town drinkers and drug users in Stevenage, including Fisher and would allow his flat to be used as a place where these people would congregate.

“Fisher admits stabbing Mr Floyd on March 6 after an argument. Sadly, we will never really understand what happened or why which is of great sadness to his family. Fisher will now have to live with the consequences of his actions.”

Defending, Simon Russell-Flint QC requested that Fisher should be sentenced at the next hearing via a prison video link.

He said his client had a previous conviction for wounding.

Earlier today, Judge Foster adjourned sentence and asked the probation service to prepare a report considering the question of whether Fisher should be considered a dangerous offender. He remanded him in custody.

The case will be opened in detail at the sentencing hearing – set for Friday, October 27.