A 21 year old man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Karen Buckley in Glasgow in April.

The High Court has heard the nurse, from Co Cork, was murdered within minutes of leaving the Sanctuary nightclub in the early hours of April 12th.

Its believed she was killed by Alexander Pacteau in his car, after the two left the Sanctuary nightclub separately.

Judge Lady Rae called the attack 'motiveless, senseless and brutal' - and the actions of a 'callous and calculating man.'

Mr Pacteau has been remanded in custody for sentencing on September 8th.

Mr Pacteau arrived in court flanked by 2 prison officers, and dressed in a grey pinstriped suit.

Karen's parents John and Marian, along with her brothers and the family priest are in attendance at the hearing.

The court was told he bought large volumes of caustic soda in an attempt to dispose of Karen's body, before buying a barrel which he used to bring her body to a remote farm on the outskirts of Glasgow.

It is on this farm that he had earlier burned Karen’s clothes, cleaning products, and a bloody mattress.

Police noted when they visited his flat it smelled strongly of bleach.

Counsel for Alexander Pacteau told the court that he expresses regret and remorse for his actions, which he says were carried out under the influence of alcohol.

John Scullion said he’d been instructed to apologise to the Buckley family and Karen’s friends on behalf of Mr Pacteau.

The judge shook her head when given a series of photographs of Karen Buckley, her grave, and a large volume of letters sent to her family after her death.

Juliette Gash is in Court in Glasgow 

The disappearance of Karen Buckley sparked a massive police operation in Glasgow.

Sinead Spain looks back at the events which led to today's court hearing.