A homeless Southend man who bludgeoned a man to death has been given a ten-year prison sentence.

Daniel Markham, 20, had pleaded guilty to murdering Justin Forrest, 27, in Norwich following an argument.

He suffered fatal head injuries and was found in a pool of blood near his bicycle along with a metal wrench, although police believed another weapon may have been used.

Mr Forrest, known as Jutty, died ten days later in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, after his parents Colin Forrest, 54, and Karen Ireland, 48, made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life-support machine.

Markham's ten year-sentence includes time spent on remand since March.

After yesterday's hearing at Norwich Crown Court, Mrs Ireland said: "We are disappointed with this sentence. However it has been a bonus for us that Daniel Markham admitted his guilt and we have not had to endure a long and drawn-out trial.

"Jutty was a happy lad, the eldest of three brothers, and we will all miss him forever."

Markham was said to have confessed to the murder to a fellow inmate in Rochester Prison in Kent although when questioned by police he denied it. He originally pleaded not guilty at court but later admitted the charge.