A TEENAGER today admitted murdering a woman whose severed head was found on a Scottish beach.

The 35-year-old victim was tortured until she revealed PIN numbers to her bank cards and £1400 was stolen from her accounts. Aleksandras Skirda, a 19-year-old Lithuanian, admitted the gruesome murder of migrant worker Jolanta Bledaite.

He also pleaded guilty to using bank cards stolen from her home to withdraw £1400 from cash machines.

Skirda, a Lithuanian, is now expected to give evidence against another Lithuanian, Vitas Plytnykas.

He denies murdering Jolanta, also a Lithuanian, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of her body.

During a half-hour hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, 41-year-old Plytnykas claimed Skirda was the guilty man.

The two men were arrested soon after Jolanta's severed head was found in a plastic bag by two sisters, aged eight and 11, playing on Arbroath beach.

Jolanta's hands were found nearby by police called to the scene.

Today judge Lord Uist was told the two little girls would not have to relive their ordeal in court because their evidence has been agreed in advance.

Other witnesses speaking Lithuanian and Polish are expected to be called when the trial begins in February.

Skirda was told by Lord Uist he faced a life sentence once proceedings against Plytnykas were at an end.

The trial judge in February will decide on a minimum sentence for Skirda.

Skirda admitted attacking Jolanta on March 29 at her flat in South Esk Street, Brechin, tying her up and taping her mouth and nose.

He tortured her with a knife before murdering her by smothering her head with a pillow.

Skirda admitted severing her hands and head and throwing them into the sea at Arbroath Harbour the following day, and disposing of the rest of her body in the sea in a suitcase.

Skirda also admitted used stolen bank cards and PIN numbers to steal cash.

Plytnykas denies similar charges and lodged a "special defence" incriminating Skirda.