Man jailed for murdering friend at his flat

Craig Moult, 45, was found dead at his Sutton Coldfield flat on 3 September last year

A man has been jailed after murdering his terminally ill friend and taking photos of his body at his flat.

Leroy Lawrence, 46, "brutally killed" Craig Moult, 45, and stole his bank card and property at his home on Boldmere Close, Sutton Coldfield, on 1 September last year.

West Midlands Police said Mr Moult had "suffered more than 100 injuries and was left to die by someone he called a friend."

Lawrence, of no fixed address, was found guilty of his murder during a four-week trial and was jailed for a minimum of 26 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

Leroy Lawrence, 45, was given a life sentence with a minimum of 26 years

Lawrence and another friend had visited Mr Moult overnight on 31 August, with CCTV showing the friend leaving the following afternoon, before Lawrence left three hours later.

Mr Moult was "violently attacked" during this time, officers said.

He was found dead in his flat by his family on 3 September.

Lawrence, who handed himself in to police, was remanded in custody, where he confessed his crime to an inmate and revealed he had also taken Mr Moult's bank card but an attempted transaction had failed.

"He returned to Craig's house two days after the attack and saw Craig dead," a force spokesperson said.

"But instead of ringing emergency services, he stole more of Craig's property and left. He also took photos on his mobile phone of his injuries."

'No remorse'

In an separate incident, Lawrence was also found guilty of one count of theft against another victim the day after he killed Mr Moult, stealing various items including designer goods and jewellery.

Ch Insp Jim Mahon said Lawrence stole from an "innocent woman" before returning to Mr Moult's flat to steal his property.

"He is a dangerous man and has shown no remorse for any of his horrific actions," he said.

"My thoughts are with Craig's loved ones who have been forced to sit through a difficult trial."

In a tribute, Mr Moult's family said he was "still very much missed" and would "continue to be [missed] forever and always."

They said: "To sit in court and listen to what Craig went through in his final moments has been heartbreaking to hear as a family.

"Craig was our son, brother and father and he did not deserve what he was put through."