Man admits he killed family in John Lennon's former home

A man has admitted killing his wife and two children whose bodies were discovered at the former home of John Lennon.

Arena Saeed and her children, Shadia Salem, six, and Rami Saeed, four, were discovered last month at the flat in Falkner Street, in the Toxteth area of Liverpool.

Appearing by videolink at Liverpool Crown Court, Sami Salem accepted that he unlawfully killed his wife and children, but the court was told he would not formally enter pleas to the three counts of murder until he had been examined by a psychiatrist.

Salem, who had a beard and wore a grey jumper, told the court: "I want to plead guilty to the suffocation of my wife and the drowning of my kids and I'm saying it now."

The 30-year-old was in tears at points during the hearing and appeared to be rocking backwards and forwards in his seat.

Judge David Aubrey adjourned the case until September 22, when Salem is expected to formally enter pleas.

Residents on Falkner Street were told to evacuate their homes due to concerns over a gas leak after the bodies were discovered on May 30.

The property is a regular stop for Beatles fans on sightseeing tours of the city as the band's manager Brian Epstein used to own a flat there.

Lennon and his first wife Cynthia lived in the flat shortly after they were married.