The face of 'devious' murderer who killed flatmate as they walked home from the pub

A 'devious' murderer who killed his flatmate during a brutal attack in the street after they’d spent a night in the pub together has been jailed for life. Lee Burns, 38, will have to serve at least 21 years in prison after he was found guilty of the murder of 45-year-old Vinny McDonagh.

Mr McDonagh, who was engaged and a father to four-year-old son Frankie, was found unresponsive in the street in Oldham after Burns had launched a ferocious attack. After punching him and causing him to fall to the ground, Burns proceeded to kick and punch him repeatedly.

Burns had said ‘I’ll f****** bang you out bro’ before attacking Mr McDonagh. The assault was captured on harrowing CCTV footage, containing 'sickening thuds', which his loved ones found too distressing to watch in court.

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The pair had spent the night in a pub together after Mr McDonagh had lent him £20. Prosecutors said the motive for the murder was unclear but that Burns may have been angered by Mr McDonagh using his mobile phone.

Burns denied murder and claimed he had been acting in self-defence. But a jury at Manchester Crown Court saw through his lies and convicted him. Judge Alan Conrad KC told Burns: "You have shown no remorse at all during these proceedings.

"You used every device you could to throw mud at Vincent and to sully his character, knowing he was not here to answer back. You are a devious and manipulative man who sought in the face of overwhelming evidence to concoct a bogus defence.

"What you did was as cowardly as it was wicked. Vincent had done nothing to warrant your behaviour towards him."

Burns was today handed a life