Bournemouth man Stephen Cole, 32, admitted the charge at Winchester Crown Court where he appeared on 4 May 2021. He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 1 June 2021.

Officers were called to the Travelodge hotel on Christchurch Road around 8am on 9 December 2020 following reports a woman had sadly been found dead. She was identified as 27-year-old Marta Elena Vento, a Spanish national who was living in Bournemouth and was working as a receptionist at the hotel.

At around 8.20am that morning, Cole attended the enquiry office at Bournemouth police station and told a member of staff that he had just killed someone. He was in possession of a carrier bag, which contained items of his clothing that were blood-stained, as well as a lanyard and keys that matched the description of items that would have been used by Marta Elena Vento at work. He was arrested and taken into police custody.

During police interview, Cole admitted causing the death of Marta Elena Vento.

Following an assessment by mental health professionals, Cole was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act. He remained in the care of mental health services throughout court proceedings.