A TATTOOED-thug who bludgeoned a dad to death after he had fallen asleep has been jailed for at least 18 years.
Anthony Allan, 25, pounced on Ryan Richardson at the victim's flat in Shettleston, Glasgow.
Prosecutors believe Allan battered the 28-year-old with a baseball bat or similar weapon.
Ryan's body was found in his living room after worried family raised the alarm when they had not heard for him for days.
Jurors heard that after the death was reported in the media, Allan told a man: “I did it.”
Allan was today handed a life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier been convicted of murder.
READ MORE: Man convicted of murder of Ryan Richardson in Shettleston
Lord Matthews told him: “This was a brutal attack on Mr Richardson. His skull was fractured into 17 pieces as a result of at least six blows.
“It must have been obvious significant injuries would have been caused as a result of what you done.”
A large number of Ryan's relatives and friends were in court for the hearing.
One shouted “scumbag” as Allan was lead handcuffed to the cells.
The killing is said to have happened between March 3 and 15 last year.
Jurors heard how the men were known to each other and had been in regular contact.
But, the killer was suddenly no longer in touch with Ryan around mid-March last year.
Police eventually forced their way into the victim's flat amid concerns.
Ryan had suffered “extensive” fractures to his skull, cheekbone as well as bleeding on the brain.
His injuries were compared to those suffered by car crash victim or people who have fallen from a height.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell told jurors the Crown relied on a “number of admissions” made by Allan after the murder.
This included Allan stating to one man: “I did it, I did it.” The killer was described as if “he was on a high” while talking about it.
Allan was said to have picked up a “lump of wood or bat” as Ryan slept in his flat.
But, in his closing speech, Mr Farrell said: “He did not believe it. He thought (Allan) was just acting the hardman.”
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