Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Anuj Bidve was shot while on a trip with friends to the Boxing Day sales in Manchester

A man accused of murdering Indian student Anuj Bidve in Salford has pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.

Kiaran Stapleton, 21, of Ordsall, Salford admitted shooting the postgraduate on 26 December 2011.

Stapleton pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter at Manchester Crown Court.

Mr Bidve's parents, who travelled from India to hear the plea, said coming "face to face" with Stapleton had been "very emotional and difficult".

Stapleton was remanded in custody ahead of a trial at Manchester Crown Court on 25 June.

The court heard the issue in the case will be whether Stapleton was of diminished responsibility at the time of the killing.

'Emotional time'

Mr Bidve's parents, Subhash and Yogini, said they had wanted to attend the court hearing to hear Stapleton's plea.

Image caption Kiaran Stapleton sat calmly through the hearing at Manchester Crown Court

In a statement, they said: "This is the first time we have returned to the UK since Anuj was taken away from us, and the first time we have come face to face with the man charged with his murder, so clearly this is a very emotional and difficult time for us."

The couple last visited the area shortly after their son's death to visit the spot where he died.

During their visit, they said they did not blame the people of Salford, only the person responsible for their son's death.

Mr Bidve, 23, was with friends in Ordsall when he was shot in the head at close range.

The Lancaster University student had travelled to Manchester with a group of friends to visit the Boxing Day sales.

He was walking from his hotel in Trafford Park to the city centre when he was attacked.

Following Mr Bidve's death, a candlelit vigil was held by members of the local community.

Mr Bidve had been studying for a micro-electronics postgraduate qualification at Lancaster University after completing an electronics degree at Pune University in India.

A memorial service was held at the Lancashire institution, which also opened a book of condolence.