Vitalie Tanga was convicted of murder by a jury after a 2 week trial prosecuted by Michelle Heeley KC and Andrew Wallace.

Alfred Mattox was beaten to death in a vicious attack by the defendant, who sought to blame an innocent witness for the offence.

The victim suffered multiple facial fractures that could only have been caused by at least three separate forceful blows to the face.

The case was built upon a combination of CCTV, Body worn footage from officers who attended, and blood spatter analysis.

Over the course of two weeks the jury heard from other occupants of the flat where the attack took place, and witnesses who described the defendant’s violent temper. 

The offence was aggravated by the defendant’s homophobic comments, which the Crown argued was the motive for the offence.

The defendant himself did not give evidence, but through his counsel denied he was responsible for the attack. 

The jury were in retirement for less than 4 hrs before returning their unanimous verdicts.

Sentencing has been adjourned for 2 weeks.