A mother has spoken of her grief for her son who was beaten and kicked to death by his housemate.

Maureen Gale, of Richmond Avenue, Bognor, described her son Steven Gale as a "vulnerable young man who didn't deserve what happened to him".

Mr Gale, 28, formerly of Clun Road, Littlehampton, was beaten and kicked to death by his housemate on October 25 last year while living with him and two women in Mowmacre Hill, Leicester.

He had learning difficulties and had suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of Andrew Green, 42, who was said to have been his unofficial carer.

Mr Gale had met Green while studying life skills at Northbrook College in Worthing several years earlier and struck up a friendship, eventually moving to Leicester in 2004.

When he was found by paramedics, Steven weighed about six stone - less than half the normal weight for his 5ft 11in frame.

A witness described him as looking like "something out of Belsen - a walking skeleton".

A post mortem examination of his body revealed he had three fractured ribs, bruised legs, thighs and groin consistent with stamping and kicking, as well as facial injuries and bodily injuries from being beaten over a period of time. He died from internal abdominal bleeding and shock.

Mrs Gale said the morning after Steven died, Green phoned her and said: "I've let you down. I've let you down."

At Leicester Crown Court Green pleaded guilty to murdering his friend.

Green also pleaded guilty, along with his wife Claudette, 31, and Lisa Smith, 27, to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by giving the police a false account of Mr Gale's movements, as well as a bogus account of an assault upon him.

The court heard that Mr Gale had suffered physically and mentally before his death and that Green held those living in the house in his grip by operating "a strange hierarchy" with him at the top and his former friend at the bottom.

He used this influence to control all their benefits money.

Nicholas Dean QC, defending Smith, said it was clear that Green had told the two women what they had to say to the police.

Mr Gale's parents, Maureen and Malcolm, were in court to watch the proceedings. Speaking after the jailing, Mrs Gale said: "My son did not deserve to die the way he did.

"He was a vulnerable young man who was easily led astray.

"He was a simple man who was happy with a bit of money in his pocket and some cigarettes.

"When I heard Green enter his guilty plea I felt relieved because he had finally taken responsibility for what he had done. He is evil and manipulative.

"I am grateful for the help and support I and my family have received and to the police for bringing him to justice.

"We are at peace now."

Green was remanded in custody and warned by the judge that he could expect to be given 15 years imprisonment.

His wife was bailed to a hostel in Bedford. Smith was bailed to an address in Wales.

They will be sentenced on December 11.