A man killed a father-of-two by stabbing him in the neck with a 6in filleting knife outside an Oxford pub, a court heard, today.

Christopher Philp, 26, who has admitted killing former soldier Stephen Pinker, from Witney, was warned he faced life imprisonment after admitting a charge of murder.

But sentencing was adjourned, after Oxford Crown Court was told the Crown Prosecution Service refused to accept Philp's version of events.

Mr Pinker, 43, a former soldier in the Royal Green Jackets, died after being stabbed outside the Corner House pub, in Hollow Way, Cowley, in March.

His family and friends - including his fiancée Rebecca Holmes - filled the court's public gallery.

Others were there to support Philp and made thumbs-up signs at him in the dock.

Tony McGeorge, prosecuting, said: "I have discussed the matter with senior crown prosecutors and I have to confess, as I said on the occasion of the guilty plea being admitted, I don't feel able to accept the basis of plea."

Mr McGeorge said the points at issue included how long Philp, of Halliday Hill, Northway, Oxford, had the knife, whether he made threats to kill, and whether he intended to kill.

He said: "It was a filleting knife with a 6in blade, which went in about six inches, right up to the handle.

"It appears to have cut both through the jugular vein and the arteries. The man died almost instantly."

Philp was remanded in custody and will return to the court for a so-called Newton hearing, on a date yet to be set, to establish the facts on which he will be sentenced.

The court heard that four witnesses would be called to give evidence at the hearing - including Miss Holmes, 29, who wept as details of her fiancé's killing were read out in court.

Judge Anthony King said: "The evidence appears to be contrary to the defendant's defence statement.

"This is an important and serious matter.

"It is desirable that this matter reaches its conclusion at the earliest possible date."

Addressing Philp, he said: "You will appear before this court at the earliest date that can be organised, so that the issue may be tried as to the degree of your culpability in this offence and thereafter the court will proceed to sentence you."

He added: "In any event, a life sentence will be passed in this case.

"The issue is as to the minimum term to be recommended for custody, before any consideration as to his release on licence."