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A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a university lecturer.

Paul Antony Butler, 53, faces life in prison after admitting to the murder of Claire Chick, 48, during an incident in Plymouth in January.

Butler spoke via video link only to confirm his name and enter his pleas during the hearing at Plymouth Crown Court, where he appeared to wipe a tear away from his face as he admitted to his guilt.

He will be sentenced on 25 April, and Judge Robert Linford told him he will receive a life sentence - the only issue to consider is the minimum term.

"I am going to order that a psychiatric report is prepared upon you, which will assist the court in determining the minimum term that must be served by you before you are considered for parole," he told him.

Butler, of Stangray Avenue in Plymouth, also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a bladed article.

Ms Chick was found seriously injured in West Hoe Road in Plymouth on 22 January and later died in hospital.

She was previously known as Claire Butler, and she worked as a lecturer at the University of Plymouth.

In a previous statement released by police, her family described her as a "beautiful" and "caring" mother, who was a "lively soul and was there for everyone".

"She was the life and soul of any place where she was," they added.

"She loved to dance and sing, even though she was pretty bad at it; she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience.

"We will never get over this as a family, she was our glue and our go-to. We won't ever get the justice our mum deserves for this, because no amount of justice will bring her back."

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The court heard victim impact statements would be given by Ms Chick's two daughters at the sentencing hearing.

Butler will remain in custody until then.