Man convicted of murder before card spending spree

A man who stabbed a care home chef in the neck and then used his victim's bank cards at supermarkets and a takeaway has been found guilty of murder.

Sakander Hussain, 25, made purchases at Tesco and Costcutter stores a day after stabbing Wallis Webb, 65, at his flat in Birmingham, the city's crown court heard.

The crown alleged Mr Webb was killed early on 31 January. Its barrister, Edward Brown KC, said the victim was stabbed after driving to the Frederick Road area, where he picked up Hussain.

Sentence was adjourned to a date to be fixed at Northampton Crown Court.

Mr Webb's body was found in the bedroom of his flat Baldmoor Lake Road, Erdington, six days after he was killed, when a family member raised concerns for his welfare.

Hussain, of Ingleton Road, Washwood Heath, pleaded guilty to fraud before his trial but denied murder, citing psychiatric issues after initially claiming not to be involved in the death.

Mr Webb, who lived alone, was killed between 02:55 and 03:58 GMT, Mr Brown said.

The court was told the victim was gay and frequented Birmingham's Gay Village, used chat sites on the internet to meet like-minded males and had a regular friend for more than 10 years who he would spend time with, although they were not settled partners and did not live together.

Judge Rupert Mayo told Hussain: "The only sentence I can pass is one of life imprisonment.

"The question is how long the tariff should be before you can be considered for release."

The judge ordered a report to be compiled on Hussain's behaviour and conduct during his time on remand at HMP's Hewell and Birmingham.

He also excused jurors from further jury service for life.

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