A 28-year-old man has admitted murdering a popular Neath Valley pensioner in a brutal attack.
Kyle Bowen changed his plea to guilty to the murder of 73-year-old David Williams when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday.
In May Bowen had entered a not guilty plea to murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.
The body of Mr Williams – known to friends as Dai Doberman for his love of the dog breed – was found at a property in Danygraig Lane in the Pontwalby area of Glynneath on January 27 this year.
A post-mortem examination showed he had suffered blunt force injuries to the head and body.
Bowen, of Mill Terrace, Glynneath, will be sentenced on July 16.
Speaking after the hearing South Wales Police detective chief inspector Paul Peters from the force's major crime investigation team said the plea meant Mr Williams' family would not be put through a trial. He also thanked the people of Glynneath for their support in the days following the murder.
He said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Williams' family who continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers. I am pleased that today's plea means they will not have to endure a trial which can be very distressing.
"Myself and my team would like thank the community of Glynneath and Pontwalby who were clearly shocked and saddened by Mr Williams' murder. There was a very large police presence in the village for a number of days and the residents were nothing but helpful and supportive with officers."
