A GREENOCK man yesterday admitted killing his pensioner father but will be prosecuted for the OAP’s murder — after Crown counsel refused to accept his guilty plea to culpable homicide.

Peter McDermott, 41, pled guilty to killing 65-year-old Bernard McDermott at a flat they shared in the town’s Lynedoch Street.

But his offer was dramatically rejected by prosectutors during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

They insist that McDermott murdered his father on 23 April this year by repeatedly knifing him on his head, neck and body.

Paramedics rushed the senior citizen to Inverclyde Royal Hospital in an ambulance, but he died shortly after arrival there.

Murder accused McDermott is also facing a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by trying to hide a bloodstained knife.

He is said to have gone to Well Park in Regent Street to hide the alleged murder weapon in shrubbery, before making his way to the public toilets at Hunter Place, near the Oak Mall, to wash blood from his hands. McDermott is further charged with behaving in an aggressive manner at Hunter Place by shouting and swearing. He is also accused of having a knife in a public place.

He first appeared from custody at Greenock Sheriff Court charged with the murder of his father on 24 April.

McDermott, who was represented by solicitor Jonathan Manson at the time, made no plea or declaration during the private hearing on petition.

Police had rushed to Lynedoch Street following reports of a serious incident at around 1.20pm on 23 April.

Officers cordoned off a large section of the street outside the alleged murder scene as a team of officers searched the area, pictured.

Flowers were later left by grieving loved ones of the deceased. Yesterday’s High Court hearing took place before judge Lord Turnbull.

McDermott — currently remanded in custody — is now due to appear at a fresh hearing on 21 January next year.