A DRUG addict who brutally murdered a friend who had gone to Spain to make a new life for himself has been jailed by a crown court judge.

Stuart Martin, 29, must serve a minimum of 13 years and 353 days before being considered for parole.

Sitting at Maidstone Crown Court, Mr Justice Michael Tugendhat told Martin he murdered 54-year-old Francis Ottley, from Dover, in "a fit of anger" brought about by his dependence on drugs.

He said the "horrific" killing was not premeditated and Martin was not provoked by the vulnerable former ferry seaman.

"This is not a case where all you intended was to cause really serious harm," said Mr Justice Tugendhat. "That may have been your first intention but, having injured him, instead of seeking help you decided, in your own words, to finish him off."

Mr Justice Tugendhat said he accepted that it was genuine remorse in the aftermath of the killing and dumping of Mr Ottley's body that led to Martin confessing to a woman he regarded as his surrogate mother, to several of Mr Ottley's friends and to prison inmates.

He claimed he had strangled Mr Ottley and used an axe and a knife.

"If you had not confessed this murder would probably have remained unsolved," he added.

The court heard during Martin's trial that Mr Ottley's body has never been found. The judge said that the concealment of the body was an aggravating factor but accepted that it was a "reaction to events" and not premeditated.

Martin, of Bramble Way, Hollingbury, Brighton, denied murder but was convicted by a jury of six men and five women. A woman juror was discharged soon after the trial got underway three weeks ago.

Mr Ottley disappeared in March 2005, two years after he had left Dover to make a new life for himself.

Mr Ottley suffered from a heart condition and in January 2003 changed his lifestyle, taking off in a converted 70s coach with his dog. In October 2004 Mr Ottley made £50,000 from the sale of his former home in Lowther Road, Dover, and later inherited over £47,000.

Prosecutor Mark Dennis QC told the court the inheritance went into Mr Ottley's account the week he was murdered. It had since lain dormant in a bank account.

Both men were gay and heroin addicts. They met about eight years ago and had a close relationship.

Martin joined Mr Ottley in La Linea, Spain, after friends became concerned about his drug-taking. However, Mr Ottley later complained that Martin's habit was costing him money and eventually bought an air ticket for Martin to return to England.

The court heard that on March 31 2005 friends of Mr Ottley saw his coach parked outside a supermarket in La Linea. A stranger was in the driving seat and Martin told them Mr Ottley was in the store. However, he never emerged and the coach disappeared.

Six days later the vehicle was found burnt out in a lay-by in Malaga and Mr Ottley's beloved dog was found abandoned.

Three days later Martin telephoned his "surrogate" mother, Caroline McCourt, and told her how he had strangled and then hit Mr Ottley. He then dumped Mr Ottley's body on a rubbish tip.

During his evidence Martin said he could not remember the conversations he had had with Mrs McCourt because he was either drunk or taking prescription drugs. He also denied confessing to the inmates.

Peter Gower, QC, defending, said the axe was not a weapon Martin had acquired but was kept in the mobile home to chop wood.

He added that Martin, who had had an extremely disadvantaged childhood, murdered Mr Ottley in a "flash of anger that developed there and then" and he had reached out for what was at hand.

After the verdict, Detective Chief Insp Dean Barnes said: "Kent Police and the Crown Prosecution Service were faced with a unique set of circumstances involving the murder of a British national in Spain where the body of the murdered man has never been found.

"The conviction of Stuart Martin for the murder of Francis Ottley brings a two-year investigation to an end.

"This investigation has had a truly multi-national dimension bringing together the prosecuting authorities in Kent, Spain and China, through Hong Kong.

"This conviction is a testament to the dedication of the prosecution team here and the co-operation between that team, the countries mentioned and Interpol.

"Our sympathies are extended to Francis’ family and friends. I would like to think the conviction of Stuart Martin will allow them to bring closure to this part of their lives and begin to move forward with fond and lasting memories of Francis."

Mr Ottley’s sister, Mary Harris, and her husband Graham, issued the following statement through Kent Police.

"These past months have been a great strain and a very sad and harrowing time for all of the family, having lost both of our parents and now Francis within the space of 15 short months.

"To lose Francis in such a manner and before his time has been particularly distressing.

"Our grateful thanks must go to all those involved in the case which has required international cooperation with authorities in Spain and elsewhere.

"Although nothing can bring Francis back we hope that justice has been served in this verdict reached."