A teenager has admitted killing a 15-year-old boy who was attacked with a martial arts weapon outside a Halloween party.

Ricky Butler, 15, died on November 3 after he was attacked outside his brother's flat.

Richard Martin, 18, pleaded not guilty to murder but offered to plead guilty to manslaughter at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

That plea was not accepted and Martin will face trial for murder this summer.

Ricky went to a "pimps and hookers"-themed party at his brother Steven's flat in Gorringes Brook, Horsham, on Friday November 2, with about 15 other people aged in their teens and 20s.

He and another 16-year-old boy were taken to hospital with head injuries at about 2am the following morning.

Police said Ricky had been attacked with nunchucks, two linked pieces of wood used as a weapon in Chinese martial arts.

Ricky died in hospital later that day. The 16-year-old survived but needed stitches.

Martin denies wounding the 16-year-old with intent to cause grievous bodily harm the same night.

The boy, who cannot be named, is expected to give evidence at Martin's trial.

Ricky had just started Year 11 at The Forest School in Comptons Lane, Horsham, at the time of the tragedy.

He lived with his parents in Leith View Road, Roffey, near Horsham.

A fan of US rapper 50 Cent and graffiti art, Ricky was a popular boy well known for his flat cap and McKenzie tracksuit.

The youngest of four brothers, he supported Manchester United and had a 15-year-old girlfriend.

Flowers were laid outside the Gorringes Brook address after his death and friends posted tributes on the internet site Bebo.

His mother Sarah issued a statement saying: "Everybody he met loved him. He was an amazing son, brother, friend, nephew, cousin and boyfriend.

"He was the life and soul of the party and was always on the guest list.

"Ricky had a wicked sense of humour, a big smile and he could make anyone laugh.

"He did not have a nasty bone in his body. But we have so many happy memories that no one can take away."

Unemployed Martin, from Heath Way, Horsham, has been in custody since his arrest the weekend of the attack.

He is due to face trial for murder and wounding on Monday August 18.