A Hunter man has admitted to bashing his 12-year-old step-daughter to death two years ago.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, severely beat the girl before putting her to bed in September 2015- her body was found the next morning.
After initially entering a not guilty plea, the man has now pleaded guilty to murder in Sydney's Supreme Court and will be sentenced in Newcastle on February 26 next year.
Meanwhile, the girl's mother has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter - it's alleged she showed gross negligence by knowing the girl was being continually abused.
