Alleged Sunderland killer took 'trophy' photo of dying victim, jury told

A police investigation was launched after the death of Andrew Mather, inset.

Wayne Miller, 32, used punches, kicks, stamps and possibly a weapon to murder Andrew Mather, 48, in June, it is claimed.

Prosecutors claim Miller inflicted the fatal injuries during two separate attacks at Mr Mather's home.

Prosecutor Toby Hedworth said an "unpleasant" photograph on Miller's phone, which had been deleted but was later retrieved by the police, showed Mr Mather lying injured at his home.

Mr Hedworth said to jurors: "Was this a trophy photograph taken by the defendant to show himself as a hard man?"

Miller, of Dene Street, Sunderland, denies murder and is on trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC said Miller had contacted the emergency services the morning after the killing, and requested an ambulance, claiming he had had a fight with someone the night before, who now would not answer his door.

Miller told the operator he had punched the man and was worried he had "keeled over" subsequently.

The court heard when police and paramedics arrived at Mr Mather's house they found his naked body in his bloodsoaked bedroom at Aintree Road, Sunderland.

Mr Hedworth said: "A post mortem examination revealed he had suffered severe facial and head injuries and bleeding around the brain caused by blunt forcetrauma, likely to have been the result of punches, kicks and or stamps and possibly use of a weapon.

"Significantly, the prosecution will suggest the injuries were not caused in only one attack by the defendant the previous evening but by two and the defendant even took a trophy photograph of his work before subsequently trying to delete it."

Mr Hedworth said Mr Mather was Miller's girlfriend's uncle and there had been some "ill will" in the family.

The court heard CCTV showed Miller had changed his clothes between the two attacks on Mr Mather.

Jurors heard Miller made no comment during his first interview with the police and said very little the third time he was questioned.

During his second interview he gave a prepared statement which read: "I was involved in a physical altercation with Andrew Mather.

"I acted in self-defence.

"When I left the address Andrew Mather was alive."

The trial continues.