A killer who successfully appealed against his conviction for murdering his partner admitted manslaughter at a court appearance on Friday.

Dean Williams, 51, was jailed for life in 2008 for strangling 40-year-old Mary Malkin at their home in Margate.

He was ordered to serve at least 20 years behind bars but in December last year the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction after hearing new evidence about Williams’ mental state.

Williams appeared at the Old Bailey by video link for a plea and case management hearing.

He pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.

Williams said: “I plead guilty to manslaughter.”

The prosecution indicated they would seek a trial on the murder charge.

The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, set the trial for 30 April this year. The case is expected to last six weeks.

Williams, formerly of Millmead Road, Margate, denies the murder of Mary Malkin between January 27, 2005 and January 30, 2005.

Mary Malkin’s sister Franky Dillon has campaigned consistently since Mary’s death for justice for her sister.

Ms Dillon, who lives in Cork, in Ireland, set up Mary’s Facebook page for people to leave comments about the case.

The Dillon family of six siblings had grown up in Thanet. In 2004, their youngest brother Stephen, 26, was killed in a fire following a gas leak at Trinity Square, Margate.

Grief had led to their brother Daniel committing suicide, leaving remaining siblings Franky, John and Kathleen.