In a dramatic twist as the case was about to go to trial, the men who had previously denied murdering the 19-year-old in a brutal stabbing changed their pleas.
The trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday this week, with the day being spent in legal wrangles.
When the case, being heard at Bradford Crown Court, reconvened yesterday, Hanif Mohammed, 25, of Stansfield Road, Todmorden, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to manslaughter and admitted he was the one who struck the fatal blow with the knife.
Johannis Thompson, 44, of Springwell Drive, Bradford, and Mohammed Javid, 35, of Fagley Place, Bradford, admitted conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
Alex, of Dineley Avenue, Todmorden, was stabbed on January 9 during an incident in Todmorden town centre. Paramedics were called to Bramsche Square at 9.15pm and he was rushed to hospital.
He died in the early hours of the following morning at Rochdale Infirmary.
Andrew O'Byrne QC, for Mohammed, said he pleaded guilty on the basis that he recruited the other two, took a knife to the scene and participated in the attack.
He said: "When the deceased broke away from Johannis Thompson, he lashed out with the knife inflicting the fatal blow."
Peter Joyce QC, for Thompson, said: "He had no knowledge that anyone else involved in the conspiracy had a weapon.
"He was recruited to assist in teaching a lesson to a bully."
Alistair MacDonald QC, prosecuting, said the pleas were acceptable to the Crown.
Sentencing was adjourned until Monday July 21 for defence lawyers to prepare their mitigation. All three men face custodial sentences.
Alex grew up at Cross Lee House children's home, Todmorden, and is thought to have lost his mother when he was little. He has two brothers and a grandmother who live in Bradford.
His sudden death shocked the local community and dozens of flowers and letters of condolence were left near to the scene of the stabbing.
After his death Alex's best friend Jason Roe said although he and Alex were both initially "out of towners" they had become best mates and he paid tribute to the younger man, saying "he was like my little big brother" and his death had left him devastated.