Wayne Miller warned to expect life sentence for murder of Andrew Mather

Andrew Mather, 48, died as a result of head and facial injuries after two separate incidents of violence on one night perpetrated by Wayne Miller.

During the attacks Miller used punches, kicks, stamps and possibly a weapon to murder Mr Mather at his home, before taking a "trophy" photograph of his victim lying down in the aftermath of the fight.

Miller, 32, had denied murder but was convicted by jurors at Newcastle Crown Court.

Toby Hedworth, prosecuting, had previously told the court that an "unpleasant" image on Miller's phone had been recovered by police, thought to have been taken by the killer as a memento.

The court had heard how an evening of sociable drinking on June 2 between Miller, his former partner, her mother and Mr Mather soon got out of hand.

In his defence, Miller had told the court that Mr Mather had been acting inappropriately towards his ex.

Violence erupted between the pair which came to a halt when Mr Mather "stopped fighting back", before Miller then left the address.

After the first beating, Miller later returned, and launched a further attack on his victim before leaving again.

The following day, June 3, 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.

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"He was fine last time I seen him."

Miller, of Dene Street, Sunderland, claimed throughout the trial he was acting in self defence as Mr Mather had started the second fight.

Mr Hedworth told the court a post mortem examination revealed that Mr Mather had suffered "severe facial and head injuries and bleeding around the brain caused by blunt force trauma, likely to have been the result of punches, kicks, and or stamps and possibly use of a weapon."

Chelsea Mather, the victim's daughter, paid tribute to her father during the trial stating he was a "very well liked man".

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

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

"Everyone who knew him liked him."

After the guilty verdict was returned by jurors, Judge Paul Sloan told Miller, who was present in the dock, that he will be sentenced next week.

He said: "You will be aware there is only one sentence that can be imposed in the offence of murder and that is a sentence of life imprisonment."

The judge told Miller the minimum term he must serve before being considered for release is yet to be determined, and he will be sentenced on Tuesday, December 15.