A 32-YEAR-OLD angler has been jailed for life after he admitted murdering a man in Hastings.

David Hills was sentenced for what Mr Justice Potts described as the "horrific" killing of fishing fanatic John Saunders, 53.

Detectives were called in after the body of Mr Saunders was discovered in June this year at his burnt out flat in Lower Park Road.

The victim's hands had been bound together and a plastic bag had been tied over his head.

A post mortem examination showed that he had died from severe head injuries.

Hills, of Portland Place, was arrested the day after the fire and later confessed to a jailer that he had been responsible for the killing.

The police investigation later revealed that Hills had killed Mr Saunders the day before starting the fire but had returned to the flat to steal property.

Detectives believe Hills knew his victim as both men were local anglers and CB radio users and that the motive for the offence may have been to steal the expensive fishing equipment that Mr Saunders was known to have.

The court heard Hills committed the murder on a Sunday and then went back to the

victim's flat on the Monday when he stole some fishing equipment and set fire to the property.

After the murder a friend saw him with bloodstains on his clothes and he later took a bath and shaved his hair.

He was later alleged to have said: "I am so awake I feel like going back for more."

It was claimed he told other people that he had bound his victim's hands with tape and said: "He won't be coming back. I have topped him."

Police believe he pistol-whipped his victim to death although Hills allegedly told friends that he used a hammer to inflict the fatal wounds.

After his arrest, Hills initially denied having any knowledge of Mr Saunders' death. But he later told a jailer: "I will be looking for about nine to 15 years. I'm no trouble."

Following the hearing at Lewes Crown Court, Det Chief Insp Steve Scott, said: "This was an evil crime committed by an evil man and the traumatic nature of what he put John Saunders through in the moments leading up to his death were quite horrific."

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