A killer who beat a father to death in a “savage attack” in a Brownills garden 12 years ago was jailed for life today.

Andrew Reeves, from Ogley Road, was told he will serve a minimum of 12 years for the murder of Darryl Cowles. The 42-year-old was found guilty by a jury after denying being responsible for the attack on July 5, 1996.

Mr Cowles, 35, died at North Staffordshire Hospital on July 12, a week after his body was discovered in Reeves’ front garden.

The court heard Mr Cowles was on the way to his girlfriend’s home near to where Reeves lived after a night out drinking.

He stopped to urinate in Reeves’ garden when he was spotted by his killer. Enraged, Reeves hit him seven times in the back of his head with a weapon which has never been found.

Initially Reeves said he had found the body but later confessed being responsible in a letter – something he later denied. The murder led to a full-scale enquiry, costing over £150,000.