Accused pleads guilty to the murder of gay Liverpool teen Michael Causer.

James O'Connor (19) one of the men accused of murdering gay Liverpool teen, Michael Causer, in an allegedly homophobic attack, yesterday pleaded guilty to murdering Causer, but as part of his plea insisted that the motive was not homophobia.

Michael Causer died in hospital from serious head injuries on August 2nd 2008, he was found dying in the street in Huyton, Merseyside on July 25th 2008. He had been attacked at a house in Biglands Drive, Huyton. Causer knew, and had been at the house with his attackers.

James O'Connor (19), formerly of Huyton now of Runcorn, along with Gavin Alker (19) also of Runcorn, were charged with the murder of Michael Causer, and both originally pleaded "not guilty" to the charge.

After Causer's death Merseyside Police released a letter to the community stressing that: "this incident is being treated as a homophobic hate crime". It went on to say: "I can confirm that this was not a random attack of a young man walking in Knowsley."

However, as part of O'Connor's "guilty" plea, he has denied a homophobic motive. He said that "he had not intended to kill Causer, but he admitted causing him really serious harm."

Gavin Alker's trial is expected to start on Monday, he has pleaded "not guilty" to the muder of Micheal Causer.

O'Connor will be sentenced after the conclusion of Alker's trial, as will Michael Binstead (18) of Prescot, who has been charged with perverting the course of justice in relation to the case.

The trial continues.

To show your support for Michael Causer and his family and friends you can join the Micheal Causer facebook group, by clicking here.

If you have been the victim of homophobic hate crime, you can tell us about it here.