Coventry Man Jailed For Life After Beating Friend To Death

11 June 2014, 17:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man, from Coventry, has been jailed for life after beating his friend to death following a heavy drinking session in the city centre.

Birmingham Crown Court heard how Jason O'Brien brutally attacked Michael Carrielies at a flat in Meadow House on Upper Spon Street, last November.

The 39-year-old was arrested at the scene after asking a shopkeeper to call for an ambulance, but Michael was dead by the time paramedics arrived.

Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe said: "We will never know exactly what happened inside Meadow House on that morning, or why O'Brien brutally killed his friend Michael.

"My hope is that yesterday's verdict and sentence brings some closure to his family who I know are heartbroken at their loss."

A post-mortem examination revealed that Michael died as a result of multiple injuries, including a significant blunt force assault to his head and neck.

O'Brien denied murder but was convicted by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday (June 10) and will serve at least 17 years before being considered for release.