A 10-YEAR-OLD boy in Sweden has confessed to killing a four-year-old child by strangling him with a skipping rope, according to police.

Swedish authorities said that the incident occurred in Ljungby on 16 October but have not released any information about a possible motive for the killing.

The four-year-old’s remains were discovered in bushes near a residential area hours after he ran from a playground where he had argued with other children.

Dozens of children aged between 5 and 15 were questioned over the death, but the Local reports that deputy prosecutor Yvonne Rudinsson told the media that there had been no other suspects in the case.

Police said yesterday that the boy had confessed to the crime.

Children under the age of 15 are protected from prosecution in Sweden and the case is now expected to be handled by social services.

Social services worker Ing-Marie Byström said that the 10-year-old and his family are being given round-the-clock support. She said that the social workers’ duty is to provide care and treatment, not punishment, Sydsvenskan reports.

- Additional reporting by the AP