Richard Thomas jailed for Treharris head stamp murder
A man has been jailed for life for murdering a disabled stroke victim by stamping on his head.
Richard Thomas, 36, of Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil, said his friend Robert Young had fallen but the victim's blood and hair was found on Thomas' shoe.
Thomas claimed diminished responsibility but a jury found him guilty of murder and he was jailed at Swansea Crown Court.
Mr Young, 53, died after being attacked at home in Treharris in February 2014.
The trial heard he was subjected to a "savage and vicious assault" and died as a result of injuries to his brain, but Thomas' motive was unclear.
Thomas told the jury he had been drinking strong cider and had taken 75 anti-depressant tablets he bought off the internet.
"I can't remember what happened - it's all a blur," he said.
Judge Paul Thomas told him: "You kicked a man who considered you his friend, leaving his family bereaved and bereft."
Iwan Jenkins of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "Robert Young was left with severe head injuries from a brutal attack.
"The CPS presented a clear picture to the jury showing how the defendant's violence in February 2014 was directly responsible for Mr Young's death in June 2015."
Thomas will serve at least 10 years before being considered for parole.