Chef, 20, admits murdering 18-year-old friend after stabbing him more than 100 times in unprovoked knife attack in woodland following a night out

A chef who stabbed his friend more than 100 times in a 'horrendous and unprovoked' attack has pleaded guilty to murder.

Lewis Ashdown, 20, killed Marc Williams, 18, in a frenzied knife attack after the pair went on a night out near Uckfield, East Sussex, on May 29 this year.

Both men were reported missing after the night out when neither returned home before the body of the 18-year-old was discovered in a wooded area in the village of Fairwarp on June 1. 

Prior to his disappearance, Mr Williams had called his family to say he was on his way home on the evening of May 29.

Sussex Police confirmed the teenager died of multiple stab wounds. 

Today, Ashdown from Normansland, Uckfield, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to murder and possession of an offensive weapon and was remanded in custody for sentencing on September 24, the force said.  

Lewis Ashdown , 20, from Normansland, Uckfield, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to murder and possession of an offensive weapon

Marc Williams, 18, called his family to say he was on his way home on the evening of May 29 before he was found in wooded area in the village of Fairwarp on June 1

He folded his arms in the dock as he was told he would be jailed for life at the sentencing hearing next month. 

Lewis Power QC for Ashdown said there were no issues around his fitness to plead before the 20-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge of murdering his friend.

'He knows it's a life sentence,' Mr Power said.

'He will say he did not pre-plan the murder but at the scene he did form the intent and he did carry out that murder.'  

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Vickers said: 'This was a horrendous and unprovoked attack on a young man who thought he was simply out enjoying an evening with a friend.

'Lewis Ashdown took advantage of Marc's trust and friendship, and killed him in a sustained and violent assault.

'Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Marc at this incredibly distressing time.' 

Ashdown was remanded in custody for sentencing on September 24, Sussex Police said

At Lewes Crown Court Ashdown was told he would be jailed for life at the sentencing hearing next month

Family members wiped tears from their eyes as the court heard there would be no trial.

Following Mr Williams' death, his family said in a statement: 'Marc touched the hearts of so many people, and made their lives brighter with his loving, caring and thoughtful actions. 

'We are feeling his loss every second and that will never change. Our hearts are broken.

'Rest peacefully, our cheeky boy. With so much love from Mum, Dad and your whole family.'

Post Mortem examinations of the teenager's body are still being carried out and final results are thought to confirmed next month. 

Ashdown pleaded guilty to murder between May 28 and May 31 this year.           

He will be sentenced next month.