Ross Miller who had 'fascination with knives' jailed for 19 YEARS for machete murder of Brandon Lee

Tragic Brandon Lee, 24, suffered more than 100 injuries when he visited Ross Miller's flat to catch up with him, after the former friends had got back in touch over Playstation game Call of Duty a few weeks earlier.

The pair had been pals in the past but lost touch after Miller was diagnosed with leukaemia as a youth and started meeting up again after reigniting their friendship online .

Mr Lee, who had a three-year-old daughter, died as a result of stab wounds to his neck and chest and suffered "60 separate actions from a sharp-edged weapon or weapons including chopping, stabbing and potentially slashing" during the attack in May.

Miller, 23, of Victoria Road, South Shields, who was described by those who knew him as "loud, boisterous and confrontational", with an "aggressive demeanour", denied murder during a trial at Newcastle Crown Court but was found guilty by the jury.

Judge Paul Sloan QC has now sentenced Miller, who had a history of threatening to cause harm with knives when he was intoxicated, to life behind bars and said he must serve at least 19 years before he can even be considered for parole.

Judge Sloan told him: "It is clear from the scientific evidence you continued to reign blows upon Brandon Lee as he moved, anti-clockwise, around the living room to avoid the relentless onslaught, sometimes on his feet, sometimes down on the floor or on furniture, sometimes with his back to you.

"He was utterly defenceless against the machete, able to do no more than raise his hands to fend off blows and thereby sustaining defensive injuries to his upper limbs.

"Eventually, he collapsed on the sofa, bleeding profusely from his wounds."

Judge Sloan said Mr Lee must have been in "considerable pain and fear" during the attack, which must have lasted a "considerable period of time".

The judge said the attack was "ferocious" and "savage".

Judge Sloan said Mr Lee's death had caused enormous pain to his family and friends and added: "No sentence I am permitted by law to impose could ever begin to ease their suffering or the sense of loss, which will remain with them for the rest of their lives."

Judge Sloan said Miller had a "fascination with knives", including machetes and knew he was prone to becoming confrontational and angry after taking drink and drugs, as he did that night.

Mark Trafford QC, defending, said Miller accepts the killing "was and must have been senseless" but has no recollection of what happened.

Mr Trafford added: "That doesn't mean he is not contrite, he is."

Prosecutor David Brooke QC told the court police had gone to Miller's flat at Victoria Road, South Shields, after a call from him saying he had killed a man and followed a "trail of blood" to his living room, where Mr Lee's body was.

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