A MAN who pleaded guilty to killing a father-of-two in the middle of a Southampton street had a history of drugs and violence - the Echo can reveal.

Adam Abdallah, who yesterday admitted to the murder of Kirpal Sanghera, was jailed twice in two years for drug related offences.

He was also sentenced to three-and-a-half years in 2008 for a brutal attack on his ex-girlfriend, in which he repeatedly punched her while she curled up in a ball for self protection.

As previously reported in the Echo, Abdallah, of Derby Road, was jailed in 2013 after police found £1,300 of heroin and crack cocaine during a raid on his home.

He was handed a three-and-a-half year sentence in 2015 after another raid on his home, in which police discovered £4,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin.

Yesterday, the 42-year-old appeared at Winchester Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to the murder of Mr Sangerha.

Abdallah was arrested after the father-of-two was discovered with knife wounds at the junction of Union Road and Radcliffe Road in Southampton in September.

Mr Sanghera, 39, died in hospital after the attack, which took place late on September 18.

Witnesses say the father-of-two, known locally as ‘Budd’, was stabbed 'several times', including a fatal wound to his heart.

Neighbours attempted to help Mr Sanghera as he laid on the ground, but he was said to be unconscious before the arrival of paramedics.

One neighbour, Marc Piper, 43, who lived just yards from the stabbing, recorded the incident on his CCTV cameras.

Describing the incident, he said: “I’ve never heard anything like it in my life.

“I heard the stabbing - it was the worst noise I’ve ever heard.”

After the stabbing, Abdallah fled the scene.

Following Mr Sanghera’s death, police began a thorough investigation of the area, closing off the junction in three directions.

A tent was set up while forensic teams carried out their work, which continued throughout the day.

Police and detectives also swept the area, going door-to-door to speak to residents, as well as searching nearby bushes and bins.

Meanwhile, police conducted a manhunt for Abdallah, with armed officers smashing down a door to a flat just minutes away from the scene, in Cranbury Avenue.

However, Abdallah was not found in the property.

He was arrested later that evening and charged with Mr Sanghera's murder.

Abdallah then appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on 22 September.

Wearing a grey sweater, the 42-year-old spoke only to give his name, date of birth and address.

Members of Mr Sanghera’s family wept in the public gallery as Abdallah addressed the bench.

Mr Sanghera’s youngest brother, Sonie, had previously told the Echo that his brother was his “best friend”.

He said: “We were together all of the time.

“He will be sorely missed.”

Sister Jagpal Dosanjh, also paid tribute to Mr Sanghera, known to the family as ‘Pal’.

She described him as the "best brother you could get.".

Mr Sanghera was born and raised in Southampton, growing up on Radcliffe Road.

He attended St Mary’s Primary School before moving to Bellemoor Secondary School - now Upper Shirley High School - and later City College.

Abdallah is due to be sentenced on November 30.