A MAN has admitted killing a man outside a Leytonstone pub.

Ryan Austin Saunders, 29, of Ashville Road, Leytonstone, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Gary Saywell and will be sentenced on September 1.

Mr Saywell, 46, of Glen Road, Walthamstow, died from head injuries sustained outside the Northcote Arms in Grove Green Road on February 16.

He died 12 days later in hospital.

Friends said he was a popular man and a regular at the Northcote Arms in Grove Green Road, where he was known as “Billy Mitchell” because of his resemblance to the character in BBC1 soap, Eastenders.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) London lawyer Barry Graves said: “Ryan Saunders was charged with one count of murder and later charged with a further count of manslaughter.

“On July 10, at the Central Criminal Court, Ryan Saunders entered a guilty plea to manslaughter.

"Following a review this plea was deemed acceptable to the Crown Prosecution Service.

“I hope this conviction offers some comfort to the victim’s family at this time.”