A FATHER of five has been jailed for life for the brutal murder of a neighbour he believed had stolen his Sony PlayStation.

Patrick Gallagher, 38, punched and stamped Andrew Girvin, 36, to death after his game console vanished last October.

He stormed into Mr Girvin's neighbouring flat and inflicted horrific injuries, including a shattered larynx, cheek bone and jaw.

The prints of Gallagher's trainers were found on Mr Girvin's body at Londonfields House in Kensington Road, Crawley.

Gallagher's live-in girlfriend Louise Elrick, 35, later told detectives he had flown into a rage and become convinced Mr Girvin had stolen the Play-

Station.

Jobless Gallagher denied murder when quizzed by detectives, initially claiming Miss Elrick carried out the killing because Mr Girvin had a crush on her.

But on the sixth day of his trial at Lewes Crown Court he changed his plea and admitted he had been responsible.

Gallagher had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and a notoriously "short fuse", plus poor verbal and reasoning skills, the court heard.

He had also had a troubled upbringing and a low IQ. He tried to present a "strong

and masculine" image to others, the judge was told.

But he was said to "deeply regret" the killing and had "appalling nightmares" as a result.

Jailing him, Judge Richard Brown said: "On that night you went into Andrew Girvin's flat and you viciously and wickedly kicked and stamped him to death.

"In my view Mr Girvin was a vulnerable member of society, a man addicted to solvent abuse and alcohol.

"But, on the evidence I have heard, he was a man who caused very little trouble to others and looked for any friendship he could find.

"The only thing to your credit is you have now had the courage to admit what you have done."

Heavily tattooed and shaven-headed Gallagher, who has 25 previous convictions including four for violence, simply nodded as he was led away by security guards.

After the case, people who knew both men said tragedy was almost inevitable if their paths crossed because of their severe drinking problems.

Reformed alcoholic Robin Gregson, 54, of Kensington Road, said: "It surprised me that someone got life.

"But it doesn't surprise me that someone ended up dying.

"I was in that predicament once and I know how little things can get out of hand.

"I felt sorry for both of them. I knew what their life was like.

"I even said to the police at the time it didn't surprise me there had been a murder.

Postman John White, 54, who lives a few doors from Mr Girvin's old flat, said: "Two lives have been ruined.

"Andy's lost his and the other man's in jail for life."

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