Sheffield man jailed for killing next-door neighbour

William Parr was found guilty of manslaughter at Sheffield Crown Court earlier this year

A man has been jailed for nine years for killing his next-door neighbour.

Lee Phillips, 45, was found with extensive head injuries at his home in South Road in High Green, Sheffield, in January 2021.

Mr Phillips' partner told police he had been "beaten up" by neighbour William Parr.

Parr, 27, claimed he had acted in self-defence, but was convicted of manslaughter after a week-long trial at Sheffield Crown Court in February.

A post-mortem examination found that Mr Phillips died as a result of a bleed to the brain caused by a catastrophic blow.

There were no injuries on his hands or knuckles to suggest he had punched or assaulted Parr, South Yorkshire Police said.

Parr, of School Road in High Green, was found not guilty of murder.

Lee Phillips was found with extensive head injuries at his home in Sheffield in January 2021

Temporary Det Insp Adam Watkinson, who led the investigation, said: "Today marks the conclusion of a lengthy criminal investigation and trial process that has lasted over two years, and my thoughts are with Mr Phillips' family and loved ones today.

"No sentence passed can lessen the pain and grief of losing a loved one in such violent circumstances, though I hope that knowing Parr will now spend time behind bars offers them some sense of closure."