Man found guilty of murdering Edwin Bradley at his Walsall home

Darren Barnes, who was estranged from his own family, showed no emotion as the jury returned its unanimous verdict at Wolverhampton Crown Court today.

The 48-year-old smashed Edwin 'Eddie' Bradley over the head with a bottle of whisky, knocking him to the floor where the victim was mercilessly kicked and stamped on in the living room of his St Thomas Close, Coalpool flat.

The beating was so savage Mr Bradley suffered 23 fractures to his rib cage with the sharp ends of the damaged bones causing catastrophic internal injuries.

The victim had a previous conviction for indecent exposure, the court heard.

Barnes had become a regular visitor to the flat during the days running up to the attack which happened between July 2 and 4.

The defendant left the room he had rented for eight months in Bloxwich Road, Walsall, on July 4, changed his mobile phone and fled to Derbyshire where he had lived previously.

Barnes was arrested at a pub in Matlock on July 27 and told officers while being driven to Derby police station: "He deserved it. He was a nonce."

The defendant, who denied murder, did not give evidence at his trial and is due to be sentenced tomorrow.

Judge Michael Challinor told the jury: "He will be given a life sentence. The only question is the length of the minimum term."