A CHURCHGOER has admitted murdering a terminally-ill care home resident - minutes after calling a cancer charity to tell them of her plans.

Heather Davidson smothered her 81-year-old friend David Paterson in what she considered to be a "mercy killing", a court heard today.

The 53-year-old knew Mr Paterson, a loving family man with deeply-held religious beliefs, through church.

Mr Paterson had made peace with God, said goodbye to some relatives and was waiting to die with dignity when he was killed, police revealed.

A source told The Northern Echo that the committed Christian was likely to have died within days of the murder on February 11.

Shortly before going to the Sowerby House care home in Sowerby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, Davidson rang Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Northern Echo: CARE HOME: Sowerby House care home, where David Paterson died

It was unclear how much detail she went into while on the phone to the charity.

Two phone calls she made prior to committing murder will be played at the sentencing hearing on June 5, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton said.

The judge, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said it was in the public interest that the contents of the conversation should be aired openly.

"It may provide the best possible insight into what the defendant honestly, even if unreasonably, thought the position was," he said.

Bespectacled Davidson, who was wearing a white fleece top and jeans, sobbed as she admitted the charge, and struggled to get out her words.

She was remanded back into custody until next month, and was told by Judge Bourne-Arton: "You will be given credit for your plea of guilty."

Davidson will face a life sentence but the judge said the minimum term she must serve in jail had yet to be determined. He remanded her in custody.

"You know that I am constrained by law as to the appropriate sentence, but the length of the minimum term is a matter I may be assisted with."

David Aubrey, QC, defending, said Davidson was admitting the killing on a specific basis - although the terms were not revealed in public.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said it contains "a distinction or two" between the sides, but it should not impact on the length of sentence.

He said he would read out a victim personal statement from widower Mr Paterson's niece, Lesley Clegg, at the next hearing, on June 5.

"We have discussed whether she wished to come on the next occasion, and she has found that coming today has been quite enough," said Mr Sharp.

"While she will not be here on the next occasion, it is not discourtesy to the court and we have discussed how to deal with the statement."

Dark-haired Davidson, of Sowerby Road, Sowerby, spoke only to confirm her name from the dock, and to enter her guilty plea to murder.

She will be sentenced after a background report has been prepared by an official from the Probation Service - requested by barrister Mr Aubrey.

Davidson - who met Mr Paterson at a church group, and shared a love of gardening - will have her life term minimum tariff set by the judge.

The 40-bed Sowerby House home is privately run by Orchard Care Homes and caters for elderly residents and those suffering from dementia.