FIVE men are facing jail after admitting their parts in the death of a man who was attacked during a robbery then left for dead in woodland.

Ahmed Musse was discovered unconscious with serious leg wounds in woodland near Sporhams, Basildon, on August 26 last year.

He had been stabbed once in the leg during the robbery in Kingfishers, Basildon.

Mr Musse, who was of no fixed ddress but was originally from London, was rushed to Basildon Hospital in a critical condition but died the next day.

A trial was due to start at Chelmsford Crown Court but after five days of discussions all five admitted involvement in the incidents.

Hussain Ahmed, 23, of Bacon Street, London, Mohammed Ahmed, 23, of Jamaica Street, East London, Abdul Salah, 20, of York Avenue, Middlesex and Jake Rowlands, 25, of no fixed address, all pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Gary Goodwin, 36, of Princes Close, Laindon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob.

They have all been remanded in custody until Tuesday, April 19 when they will be sentenced.

All five had denied murder and were due to face a trial expected to last eight weeks before Judge Charles Gratwicke. The judge had already ruled written evidence given by a witness who has since died could be given during the case.

Mr Musse's heartbroken family paid tribute to the "kind, caring, loving and generous" 35-year-old.

A statement said: "May God have mercy on us and ease our pain. Ameen. Ahmed, our cherished son, brother, uncle, cousin, fiancé and friend has been brutally removed from this world.

"Words can't describe how our lives have changed. The loss of his beautifully kind, caring, loving and generous soul has left a void in our hearts that can never be filled.

"You are with God now. God willing we shall see you in the afterlife. Until then you will be forever in our prayers. May God grant you all they have taken from you in this life and replace it with the luxuries of heaven. Ameen.”

Investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Morgan Cronin said: "We are pleased that the men responsible for the death of Mr Musse have finally owned up to their part in his tragic demise. I am sure these guilty verdicts are in no small part down to the thorough and diligent investigation by my officers.

"My thoughts today remain with the family of Mr Musse who have lost a cherished son, brother, uncle, cousin and fiancé.”