A VIOLENT thug who murdered his neighbour by smashing him on the head eight times with a machete was jailed for life.

The High Court in Glasgow heard callous Adrian Atkinson, 48, left Stephen Wallace to die and later bragged he had “done him in”.

Mr Wallace, 46, lay for two weeks at his Williamsburgh Court flat in Paisley, before being discovered by a concerned friend.

His head injuries were so bad he had to be identified by his fingerprints.

Atkinson pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Wallace on February 18 by repeatedly striking him on the head and body with the bladed weapon.

Judge Lord Matthews jailed Atkinson for a minimum of 16 years before he can apply for parole.

Defence counsel John Scullion QC said his client had been drinking heavily and has no recollection of his actions but accepts responsibility and expressed remorse.

Detective Superintendent Maxine Martin said: “Adrian Atkinson subjected Stephen Wallace, a man who was supposed to be his friend, to a violent and sustained attack.

“Mr Wallace was well known locally and the response from the community was extremely positive. I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public for their support and helping us piece together Mr Wallace’s movements in the weeks leading up to his death.

“I am glad that Atkinson made the decision to take responsibility for his horrific crime by entering a guilty plea and sparing his victim’s family having to hear the brutal details of how he died.

“Today, he faces the consequences of his despicable actions.”