A DUDLEY teenager has been warned he faces a long spell behind bars after he admitted stabbing a young man at Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

Ronan Parker pleaded guilty to wounding Mason Smith with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and he was further remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

Judge Simon Ward told the 19-year-old a pre-sentence report would have to be prepared before the case could be finalised and that would determine how long he would have to serve behind bars.

Parker, who appeared before Wolverhampton Crown Court on a video link from Brinsford Young Offenders Institution, is expected to be sentenced on September 26.

Robert Cowley, defending, said there would "plainly be a substantial sentence of custody" as he asked for an up-to-date report on the effects the injuries have had on 19-year-old Mr Mason.

He was stabbed by Parker, of Dixons Green Road, Dudley, on the upper mall of the shopping centre - near Marks and Spencer.

Mr Mason had to be rushed to Russells Hall Hospital where he underwent major surgery for serious stomach injuries.

Mr Cowley said Parker did not have a history of any medical problems but it was clear they needed to know the full extent of the victim's injuries ahead of sentence being passed.