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A Manchester man accused of murdering Indian student Anuj Bidve on Boxing Day has pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.
Kiaran Stapleton, 21, of Ordsall, Salford, admitted shooting the 23-year-old victim on December 26 last year on grounds of diminished responsibility, but pleaded not guilty to his murder.
Stapleton shot complete stranger Mr Bidve at close range as he was walking with friends along Ordsall Lane from his hotel in Trafford Park to the city centre at 01.30am.
The victim, who was studying for a postgraduate qualification in micro-electronics at Lancaster University, received severe injuries and was rushed to hospital where he later died.
The defendant, who told the court his name was ‘psycho Stapleton’ at an earlier hearing, appeared in the glass-walled dock wearing a grey tracksuit and was flanked by four officers for the duration of the 15 minute hearing.
Mr Bidve’s parents, Subhash and Yogini, flew over 4000 miles from Pune, India, to attend the hearing and sat to the right of the dock out of sight of the defendant.
The Crown Prosecution Service refused Stapleton’s plea and the defendant is remanded in custody until the case goes to trial on June 25 at Manchester Crown Court.
A candlelit vigil was held in memory of the victim shortly after his death as a mark of silent protest and a book of condolence was opened at Lancaster University.
