A Dereham man has been jailed for a minimum of 28 years for murdering a pensioner in his own home in a 'savage' attack that caused 100 separate injuries.
Richard Beane, 49, knew victim Brian Heed from Toftwood Social Club, where they were both members, and shortly before the frenzied attack had carried out a distraction burglary there.
Norwich Crown Court was told Mr Heed had just celebrated his 69th birthday and was known to keep cash at his address.
Beane, who claimed he had lost his job and needed money, had been asked to leave Mr Heed's Boyd Avenue home in Toftwood, after he was suspected of rifling through drawers, the court heard.
Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said following this incident Beane then later returned to Mr Heed's home armed with a kitchen knife hidden in a bag, probably in an attempt to find more cash.
He said Beane was captured on CCTV entering the road where Mr Heed lived and then leaving 14 minutes later, in a change of clothing.
Mr Jackson said there were 100 separate injuries on Mr Heed's body - mainly stab and slash wounds - and also signs Mr Heed had been hit with a blunt instrument and stamped on repeatedly.
He said one of the stab wounds had caused his lung to collapse, and nine ribs were broken and he had lost a significant amount of blood.
Mr Jackson said: 'It was a brutal and sustained assault.'
He said the attack took place in the hallway and there was bloodstaining around the home after Beane gashed his hand during the attack.
The body of Mr Heed was discovered after a carrier bag of bloodstained items, which included Mr Heed's bus pass and house keys, was found dumped in a field in Hardingham, and it was reported to police, who then discovered Mr Heed's body on February 5 this year.
In an impact statement Mr Heed's brother Leslie described Beane as 'evil' and said the barbaric act had caused all the family pain and anguish.
He said: 'Our family is now forever broken.'
He added that their lives had been 'changed forever' and the death of Mr Heed would always haunt him: 'To die for so little gain just doesn't make sense to any of us.'
Beane, of Brunswick Close, Dereham, admitted murder in February this year.
Judge Stephen Holt jailed Beane for life and ordered that he serve a minimum of 28 years before being considered for release.
He said that after carrying out the 'savage' attack Beane had searched the address looking for something to steal but missed £700 in cash which Mr Heed had hidden in a wallet.
'What precisely went on we will never know, Only you know that.'
He said that he had left Mr Heed dying or dead without trying to call for any help and then had carried on his life as normal even going for drink in the social club, before he was finally arrested.
Ian James, for Beane, said it was not his intention to excuse the dreadful behaviour of Beane but said: 'He is not able to explain his actions.'
He said that Beane deserved some credit for his guilty plea.
After the hearing Det Chief Insp Marie James said: 'Beane is a callous and violent individual. I hope today's sentence gives Brian's family some sort of closure knowing his killer will be in prison for a substantial amount of time.
'I also hope this outcome provides the public with reassurance that we will use all resources available to us to bring violent offenders to justice.'
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