A man has admitted killing a former Leicester resident by starting the fire which engulfed his home.
Andrew Heath was trapped in the flames which took hold of his flat in Worcester in the early hours of December 14, 2011.
A number of wheelie bins were placed alongside the 52-year-old's front door and set alight, engulfing the home in flames.
Mr Heath, a former member of Leicester Male Voice Choir, dialled 999, knowing he was trapped. Emergency services, however, could not save him and he died in his home.
On Thursday, at Birmingham Crown Court, 24-year-old Daniel Martin pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Already on remand, Martin, formerly of Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, Worcester was returned to prison and is expected to be sentenced on July 26.
Police worked for months to find the killer and revealed in April last year that Mr Heath had been convicted of a number of sex offences in the 1980s and 1990s.
Mercia Police revealed that Mr Heath had committed five sexual offences, including gross indecency and indecent assault, between 1984 and 1999 in Leicester and Birmingham.
His victims were boys aged between 14 and 17.
Some of the offences were committed before the age of consent for gay men was lowered from 18 to 16 in 2000.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson said: "We welcome the decision by Martin to admit his guilt. This will save Andrew Heath's family the rigours of a trial.
"This landmark in the case means we are nearing the end of what has been a long and complex investigation.
"It is now more than 18 months since the fire occurred at the flat and Martin has finally admitted he is responsible for his death.
"When he was killed, Andrew's family asked the police and the public to help them find some answers. I hope this conviction has gone some way to doing that."
Mr Heath's family, who are originally from the Narborough Road area of Leicester, spoke out about his death in April last year.
His sister, Leia Charleson, 57, said: "Andrew was a good, kind and caring man who would help anyone, especially those in need.
"All of Andrew's friends and family speak very highly of him and many people have told us it was a privilege to know him.
"Andrew grew up in Leicester and then moved to Birmingham, where he worked backstage in the city's theatres and then as a doorman.
"He loved to sing in the church and with Leicester Male Voice Choir, performing at the Albert Hall.
"Andrew also loved films and sport, especially cricket.
"I can't understand why anyone would do this.
"They have taken Andrew from us and the fire has destroyed all his treasured possessions – it feels like he has been eradicated.
"Whoever killed him will never take away our memories of Andrew."
Three other people, all from Worcester, have been charged and are due to stand trial for perverting the course of justice in relation to the case.
