A 16-year-old has pleaded guilty to the murder of teenager Charlie Cosser at a send-off party in the grounds of a £1.5m house in rural Sussex.

Charlie, also known as ‘Cheeks’, was stabbed multiple times during the attack on Marches Road, in Warnham, West Sussex, in the early hours of Sunday, July 23.

The 17-year-old was fighting for his life in hospital after the incident, but died on July 25.

His family paid tribute to their “cheeky” and “loving” son and brother, from Milford in Surrey, adding that their lives were destroyed after the “tragic and unnecessary” loss.

The defendant, whose name cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at his first appearance at Lewes Crown Court on July 28.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a sharp article.

The 16-year-old appeared on the bench and family members attended the hearing in the public gallery.

Defendant Kevin Light told the court that the teen had previously been of good character and had “drank a considerable amount” and could not remember certain events of the night, such as how he came up with the knife.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Christine Laing KC said: “There is only one sentence which is life imprisonment, but I have to determine what is the appropriate minimum period that you must serve before you are deemed eligible for parole and released.

“I also need to see more information about the case before deciding that.” The defendant is to be sentenced on September 11.