Aldhouse has until now said that he did not intend to kill Mr Longfellow and that it was instead a case of “killing without intent”.
In December last year police said that they did not believe him, but in the first hearing in the case, in February, Aldhouse stuck to this declaration.
Today he presented a written statement in English. The judge ordered that the statement be translated into Thai for presentation at the next hearing in the trial.
The prosecutor in the case, Tawan Sukyiran, said, "Aldhouse has admitted to the charge." He added, however, “This case is not over yet. We have to examine the witnesses.” One eyewitness for the prosecution, who was due in court today, was unable to appear.
The next hearing in the case will be on Monday (September 2) when Mr Longfellow’s girlfriend, Mina Khaisong – who was at the hearing today – is expected to give evidence. She was present when the stabbing took place.
The trial was delayed because, after the killing on August 14, 2010, Aldhouse fled to Britain, where he fought for more than two years against extradition. He was finally sent back to Thailand on December 2 last year.
The killing came after a bar brawl, allegedly started by Aldhouse, in which he was beaten by Mr Longfellow.
Afterwards, Aldhouse marched into a nearby 7-Eleven and demanded a knife. Security camera footage showed the terrified staff of the shop flinging a couple of knives onto the floor. Aldhouse picked them up and then marched out of the shop.
Later that night Mr Longfellow was stabbed in the chest at his home in Rawai. He died soon after.
Aldhouse could be jailed for life – execution has been ruled out because of an agreement between the British and Thai governments that cleared the way for Aldhouse’s extradition.
The judge may decide to reduce his sentence because of the change in plea to guilty, but will examine whether Aldhouse has had a genuine change of heart or whether the guilty plea is nothing more than a ploy to get a reduction in sentence.