A GORSE Hill man admitted threatening to kill his partner.

Joao Dias, 47, of Cricklade Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening to kill the woman when he appeared via video link from HMP Bullingdon at Swindon Crown Court on Friday.

However, he denied a third charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Dias is accused of strangling and smothering his partner in April this year.

Judge Jason Taylor ordered Dias’ defence lawyers until Monday to submit the basis by which he was entering his guilty pleas. Prosecutors have until August 20 to confirm the acceptability of the new pleas.

Assuming the pleas are acceptable, Dias will next appear in court for sentence on September 5.