A WESTCLIFF man who “repeatedly struck” his victim “at least 10 times with a hammer” has been found guilty of murder.

Paul May, a 46-year-old from Great Wakering, was found dead in a flat in London Road, on February 13.

Abir Miah, a 44-year-old of London Road, Westcliff, has today, been found guilty of murdering Paul May by a jury at Basildon Crown Court.

He has been sentenced to life in prison and will have to serve at least 18 years before he is eligible for parole.

Detective chief inspector Louise Metcalfe, senior investigating officer said: “Paul’s family described him as a ‘larger than life character’ and it’s them my thoughts are with today.

READ MORE >> ‘Westcliff murder victim died after being struck at least 10 times with hammer'

“Abir Miah has robbed Paul’s family of his humour, his wit, and his creativity.

“They miss him dearly and his death has been incredibly painful for them, but I am glad we have secured justice for them and for Paul.

“Miah subjected Paul to an horrific, frenzied, and brutal attack.

“He now faces a life sentence and a significant amount of time behind bars.”

During the trial, the court heard that Mr Miah and Mr May were well known to each other.

The body of 46 year-old Mr May was found inside an address in London Road at around 1.20pm on Sunday 13 February after the landlord of the property had gone to change the locks after a previous tenant had moved out.

He saw what he believed to be a ‘fake’ hand under a blanket but when he pulled it back, he discovered Paul’s body.

When police and paramedics arrived, they found Paul had sustained a head injury and had defensive injuries to his hands.

Forensic examinations found that Paul had suffered a frenzied attack with a weapon, with a pathologist indicating they believed a hammer, or similar, was responsible.

Through their investigation officers established Paul had been coming and going from the flat in the two days prior to his death, and may have been involved in the running or low level dealing of drugs.

Through studying this footage, and information from a neighbour, officers believe Paul and another man - Abir Miah - were alone in the flat for a 24 hour period between 5am on 12 February and 5am on 13 February.

At around 5am on 13 February, Miah left the flat, got into a taxi, and was driven to Westcliff Railway Station where he boards a train to Fenchurch Street at 5.51am.

Officers were also able to trace Miah to have then travelled to the Upton Park area.

He was arrested in the Forest Gate area of London shortly before 6pm on 15 February.

On the same day, officers attended an address in Chestnut Road in Forest Gate where they found a bag identical to one Miah had been seen on the CCTV footage carrying.

They also found a pair of trainers identical to those Miah had been seen on the CCTV wearing, claw hammer, and a kitchen knife.

Further searches turned up other clothes which were identical to those Miah had been seen wearing in the CCTV footage as he left the scene.

Forensic tests were carried out on the hammer and the clothing found and came back to show they had Paul’s blood on them.

DNA on the hammer and clothing were attributed to Miah.