A teenager who buried his neighbour in a shallow grave following a frenzied' knife attack has been detained indefinitely in a secure hospital.

Daniel Lee Rogerson, pictured, was 19 when he killed Nether Kellet villager Richard Hodgson before hiding the 78-year-old's body in his own garden.

Rogerson, now 20 and formerly of Channel Head, Shaw Lane, Nether Kellet, denied murder but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The Crown accepted his plea at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday, and he was ordered to be detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act at Ashworth top security hospital.

Mr Hodgson had lived at Shaw Lane with his wife throughout their 54-year marriage.

A neighbour saw him in his garden on July 3 last year and also noticed a hole dug in the garden, the court heard.

John Jones, QC, prosecuting, said he was killed that evening in a frenzied knife attack' in which he sustained significant stab wounds.

He said Rogerson had made a mask and probably worn it during the killing.

The court heard Rogerson had been drinking that day and was arrested for slashing tyres. Forensic evidence showed the knife used on the tyres was also used to stab Mr Hodgson.

Drag marks were found at the killing scene, and Mr Hodgson's body was later unearthed in the shallow grave, doused with petrol.

Mitigating, Nicholas Campbell, QC, said Rogerson had a history of mental health problems and showed signs of paranoia. He told friends he carried knives in fear of an assault.

He was twice cautioned for possession of knives in June last year.

At the time of the killing, Rogerson was living with his grandmother on Shaw Lane after his parents banned him from their home in a bid to control his behaviour.

Mr Campbell said it was alleged Mr Hodgson had commented on Rogerson's grandmother's dogs.

It was claimed Rogerson believed he had to stop Mr Hodgson hurting his grandmother and went on to plan the killing and dig the grave.

A psychiatrist from Ashworth told the court Rogerson presented a serious risk to the public.

Judge Justice Morland said it was a merciless and motiveless killing' which he felt was planned, deliberate and frenzied'.