A DARWEN man serving a life sentence for murder has admitted trying to strangle his cell mate.

David Smith, 23, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Martin Roberts, who is also serving a life sentence, in Walton prison, Liverpool, on August 20 last year.

Smith, who appeared via video link equipment from Walton prison, was further remanded in custody to await sentence on April 11.

He was jailed in February last year after admitting murdering Jeffrey Livesey in Darwen in July, 2004.

After the murder, he gloated and told police, "I did the beast and drank his beer."

Mr Livesey, 56, suffered severe head injuries, two fractured ribs and ruptures to the liver and spleen following Smith's brutal attack. Both men lived at a hostel in Police Street.

After the killing, Smith had gone into the hostel's TV room and said: "I've done it, I've done it, I have killed him."

The victim was found under a bed and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination found injuries consistent with being stamped and knelt on.

The trial was told that Smith had been living an aimless, nomadic lifestyle, had an anti-social personality and could be volatile.

The judge directed the defendant must serve at least 13 years and five months before parole.