UK

A musician has pleaded guilty to the murder of teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod.

The student, 18, went missing on the evening of 20 November and was last seen at a bus stop in Plymouth.

She was due to travel to the city centre to meet friends but never arrived.

Three days later, her body was discovered near Bovisand Beach about seven miles from her home.

Wearing jeans and a grey jumper, Cody Ackland appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on Tuesday morning to enter his plea.

Ackland, 24, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and admit to murdering the teenager on a date between 19 and 23 November.

Close family members of Miss McLeod, including her father and brother, sat in the courtroom while friends watched proceedings on a video link from an adjacent court.

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Her mother, Donna McLeod, was in tears throughout the brief hearing.

Read more:
Vigil held in Plymouth for Bobbi-Anne McLeod

‘No known link’ to victim

Police said there was “no known link” between Miss McLeod and Ackland and no cause of death has been given.

Ackland was the lead guitarist in a local indie band, Rakuda, which released their first EP in August last year.

Judge Robert Linford told him that he would receive a statutory sentence of life imprisonment, saying: “The only issue will be the minimum term.”

Ackland was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 19 May.