A Sudanese man has admitted slashing two friends when they sympathised with the murdered soldier Lee Rigby.

Ziko Sulliman, 27, attacked the pair with a knife at a house in Middlesbrough in May, as the group discussed what had happened in Woolwich days before.

At a brief hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Sulliman admitted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, wounding and having a blade.

The defendant, of Aire Street, Middlesbrough, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on September 6 after a report has been prepared.

Andrew Teate, defending, said: "He is aware a lengthy custodial sentence will follow."

One of Sulliman's victims, Zakaria Hamed, suffered a three-inch wound to his cheek and was stabbed in the leg.

The other, Khalid Osman, was slashed across the hand. Both men were treated in hospital.