A killer was today facing life in jail after being convicted of murdering his flatmate by beating him to death at the Walsall home they shared.

Earl Clarke did not even flinch when the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday convicted him of killing grandfather-of-three Bradley Hamilton at the flat in Chuckery.

Sounaynah Morabir, Clarke’s then girlfriend who also shared the Rowley Street flat, showed no emotion when she was found guilty of assisting an offender.

It took the jury three hours and 53 minutes to reach the unanimous verdicts yesterday. They were both being sentenced today.

During the four-week trial, Clarke denied murder and told the jury that his 48-year-old flatmate was a chronic alcoholic and they had argued over his drinking. He admitted punching Mr Hamilton after being allegedly threatened with pepper spray.

The 38-year-old, of Batchley Road, Redditch, claimed it was later in the evening of November 6 2010, after he had been out for drugs, that he found Mr Hamilton was not breathing. He told 23-year-old Morabir, of Wheelwright Road, Erdington, to call an ambulance.

But Mr Timothy Raggatt QC, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Hamilton had multiple fractures and a string of other injuries suggesting he was punched, kicked or stamped on.

The court was also told Morabir did nothing to help the victim and by the time an ambulance was called it was too late.

Speaking after the verdict, senior investigating officer Det Insp Andy Hawkins said both defendants had shown no remorse and had lied to police.

Mr Hamilton’s sister, Tracey Jefferies, said her brother had been “caring”, “loving” and well liked by everyone.

She added: “He had four children and three grandchildren that all loved him.”