Murder jury told dad found beaten in his Sunderland home was "very well liked"

Police at the scene, inset Andrew Mather.

Andrew Mather died as a result of head and facial injuries following an alleged attack in June.

Prosecutors claim Wayne Miller, 32, used punches, kicks, stamps and possibly a weapon to murder the 48-year-old during two separate episodes of violence in one night.

Miller, of Dene Street, Sunderland, denies murder and is being tried by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC today read a statement to jurors from Mr Mather's daughter Chelsea Mather.

Miss Mather said she felt "shock and disbelief" when she found out her father had been killed.

She said in her statement: "My dad was an easy-going, witty man who was very well liked.

"I have never heard anyone say anything bad about him. He didn't hold a grudge with anyone.

"He didn't go out looking for trouble, he kept himself to himself.

"Everyone who knew him liked him.

"He didn't like drama, he would do anything for an easy life."

Miss Mather said she last saw her dad, who she saw or spoke to on a daily basis, just hours before he was killed.

She said she, her daughter and partner had been at Mr Mather's house at Aintree Road on the afternoon of June 2 and Miller's girlfriend's mother was there with him.

Miss Mather said her dad walked her and her family to the door as they left and added: "He told me he would call me later that evening but he didn't.

"That wasn't unusual."

Miller told police in a prepared statement after his arrest: "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 court heard during the first day of the trial that Miller took a "trophy" photograph of his victim on his phone as he lay dying after a brutal beating.

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

The trial continues.

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