Sunderland murderer who beat man to death and took "trophy" photograph jailed for 21 years

Wayne Miller punched, kicked and stamped Andrew Mather to death then phoned 999 the next day to say he was "worried" about his victim.

In a recording of the call murderer Miller said he hoped his victim had not "keeled over".

But the callous killer knew during the call that the night before, on June 2, he had launched two ferocious attacks on the 48-year-old at his home on Aintree Road, Sunderland, which had left him dead.

The 32-year-old, of Dene Street, Sunderland, denied murder during a trial at Newcastle Crown Court but was found guilty by a jury after a trial last week.

Judge Paul Sloan QC has today been sentenced Miller to life behind bars and said he must serve a minimum of 21 years before he can apply for parole.

Judge Sloan said Miller took a photograph of his victim after the first beating and told him: "It graphically illustrated the violence you had done to him.

"Your intention being to post the photograph on the internet but you subsequently deleted it because it was so incriminating."

Judge Sloan said Miller left Mr Mather's house after the first attack and returned a short time later.

The judge added: "You launched a second attack upon him, an attack that was even more savage than the first.

"Because of the injuries you had already inflicted upon him as well as his state of intoxication he was, by this stage, particularly vulnerable."

Judge Sloan said Mr Mather has been described by his family as an "easy going, well liked man who kept himself to himself and never went looking for trouble".

The judge told Miller: "The manner in which he was attacked and the pain he suffered before he lost consciousness has caused those left behind particular distress.

"His family have been torn apart as a result of what you did that night.

"No sentence I am permitted by law to impose could ever begin to alleviate the pain his family have suffered and will continue to suffer."

The judge said the violence used was "particularly brutal" and Miller's intention during the second attack "was to kill".

Mr Mather's grieving daughter Chelsea Mather said: "Our father was a very loving man who didn't have a bad bone in his body.

"He was very generous man with his time and with whatever he had. He would literally give you his last."

She added: "He was a fun person to be around. More importantly, if ever you needed anything, he would always be there."

Miss Mather had visited her father, as he did most days, in the hours before his death.

She said: "I take some comfort from the fact he told me he loved me as we parted company and I told him I loved him too.

"Had I known this would be the last time I would ever speak to him I would have said so much more."

Mr Mather's heartbroken mum Elaine Mather said she feels "numb and dead inside" after he loss of her son.

She said Mr Mather is a huge loss to the whole family and she misses him bringing her flowers, coming for tea and "just being with me and having a chat".

She added: "I feel like Wayne Miller has attacked the whole family by doing what he did to my son.

"He has torn apart the fabric of our family."

Miller, who the court heard has "limitations", had claimed he acted in self defence.

Prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC had told the court that an "unpleasant" image on Miller's phone was recovered by police during the investigation and thought to have been taken by the killer as a "trophy" of what he did.

It was the day after the killing that Miller contacted emergency services from a call box about a mile away from Mr Mather's home.

He told the operator: "I had a fight with him last night. I've knocked on the door and there's no answer and I'm worried about him."

Miller added: "He punched into me and I punched back into him and I'm just worried, there's no answer and I just hope he hasn't keeled over.

"He was fine last time I seen him."

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