A MAN has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after stabbing a 62-year-old man to the head in Macclesfield and throwing hot liquid over him in 2019.

Joshua Houghton appeared at Chester Crown Court today, Friday, August 6, and pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The 25-year-old had been standing trial since Monday, August 2.

He will now be remanded until he receives his sentence on September 17.

Houghton stabbed Paul Cooke around the head and threw hot liquid over him while inside the victim’s flat on Brocklehurst Mews, Brocklehurst Way.

The incident took place shortly before 9pm on Friday, December 20, 2019.

Paul was found by neighbours with serious wounds to his head and was treated by paramedics at the scene.

He was taken to Macclesfield District General Hospital and died a short time later.

Witnesses reported seeing Houghton flee the address at the time of the assault.

An investigation into Paul’s death was commenced and attempts were made to locate Houghton.

He was arrested the following morning and detained under the Mental Health Act.