A 20-year-old who has admitted breaking into his 95-year-old neighbour's home and stabbing the elderly gentleman in the head could face an indefinite prison sentence.

Jacob Komene - an unemployed man from Glendene - appeared at the High Court at Auckland today where he pleaded guilty to going into his neighbour's home, armed with a knife and with the intent of committing a crime.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Aaron Perkins told the court the Crown intended on dropping a third charge of attempted murder when Komene is sentenced.

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But Mr Perkins said the Crown would seek a sentenced of preventive detention.

Preventive detention is an indefinite sentence that can be imposed on offenders convicted of specified serious sexual or violent offences.

Komene has been remanded in custody until December when he will be sentenced.

Police were called to the home of 95-year-old in the morning of April 18 where they found an elderly man in a serious condition with a single stab wound to his head.

He was rushed to Auckland Hospital and underwent surgery.