A man has been jailed for life for stabbing a father-of-two to death in a crowded pub.

Customers watched in horror as landscape gardener Peter Uttley died on a table in front of them.

Andrew Hansen was yesterday convicted of his murder at The Crown in the Carfax, Horsham, in July last year.

A jury found him guilty by a majority of 11 to one after a three-week trial at Hove Crown Court.

Hansen, 36, of Penn Gardens, Ashington, must serve a minimum of 14 years but the 16 months he has already spent in custody will count towards his release date.

Richard Camden Pratt, QC, prosecuting, told the court Mr Uttley died after a 14in knife was thrust into his chest.

He said: "This was a case of murder and the stabbing by Andrew Hansen was deliberate.

"Anyone using a knife in these circumstances either intends to kill or to cause grievous bodily harm.

"It was a wholly unnecessary and unreasonable use of excessive violence which in no way constitutes self-defence."

The court heard Hansen went to The Crown with Matt Brown and Carly Velasquez to sort out a cocaine deal that went wrong.

It resulted in a confrontation at the pool table in which Hansen threw a ball at customer Craig Gilbert.

Mr Uttley and pub doorman James Rowe went to intervene and tried to bundle Hansen out of the pub.

Hansen turned and thrust the knife into Mr Uttley's chest, piercing his lung.

Hansen claimed he was in fear of his life as he was confronted by up to ten people after he threw the pool ball at Mr Gilbert.

He said he brandished the knife as he was pushed out of the pub by Mr Uttley and others.

He claimed someone had pulled him around and Mr Uttley was pushed on to the knife by people behind surging forward.

Elizabeth Marsh, QC, defending, said Hansen, who has four children, deeply regretted what had happened.

She said he had been run over by a bus while fleeing an attacker in August 2000, suffering serious injuries, depression and post traumatic stress disorder.

As a result, he also suffered from paranoia, which had contributed to his reaction to the confrontation in The Crown.

Miss Marsh said: "Most importantly, he wants to express through me that he is very sorry for the loss of Peter Uttley's life.

"It is not something he ever contemplated or wished to happen."

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall, sentencing Hansen, said: "You have been convicted on the clearest of evidence of killing Peter Uttley quite deliberately and cold bloodedly.

"You stabbed him in the chest with a large kitchen knife.

"You had armed yourself with that knife before returning to The Crown, intending to use it should the occasion require.

"The stabbing of Peter Uttley, which I accept you now regret, was calculated and deliberate.

"It must have been quite terrifying for those immediately affected.

"No amount of words from this court will ever make amends for the loss of the life of Peter Uttley for his family and friends.

"The only sentence this court can impose upon you is one of life imprisonment.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert said: "Peter Uttley's family can now draw a line under this tragic episode.

"It has been a long, drawn out court case.

"It is not surprising Mr Uttley's family has been devastated by what happened.

"This now gives them closure and allows them to get on with their lives as best they can."