Man admits murder of student in wheat field

A man yesterday admitted the sexually motivated murder of a young student whose body was found dumped in a wheat field.

Mark Buckley, 51, attacked Ellen Higginbottom, 18, before taking her laptop and mobile phone and then leaving her for dead near the field close to Orrell Water Park in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Miss Higginbottom was reported missing after failing to return home from Winstanley College in Orrell on June 16. Buckley, of New Hall Lane, Preston, pleaded guilty to the murder when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court, and will return for sentencing next week.