The victims were found dead at their home in Totley, Sheffield (Picture: Ben Lack)

A 51-year-old man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility after killing his own parents.

James ‘Duncan’ Andrews was arrested after Bryan and Mary Andrews, 79 and 76, were found stabbed to death at their home in Totley, Sheffield, last November.

Prosecutors agreed to drop a murder charge after receiving psychiatric reports on Andrews, who is currently being held at a high-security hospital.

He will be sentenced in June, when a judge will also decide whether to keep him at a secure hospital or move him into a prison.

The quiet suburb of Totley was shocked by the deaths of Mr Andrews, a retired builder, and Mrs Andrews, a former nurse, who had lived in their detached house for a number of years.

Neighbours described them as ‘pillars of the community’ who would do anything to help others.

Mrs Justice Stacey called for further details of the lives of the ‘wonderful’ victims as well as a further report on Andrews’ condition.

No details of the incident were outlined in Friday’s hearing.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Prosecutors accepted a plea of manslaughter by diminished responsibility after seeing a psychiatric report on James ‘Duncan’ Andrews.