A vulnerable homeless man tried to take his own life weeks before he was brutally murdered, it has been revealed

Tragic drug addict James O'Rourke's battered half-naked body was discovered dumped in a stairwell in Chatham with 60 injuries.

Today his 37-year-old killer Neil Taylor was jailed for life after a jury had convicted him of murder.

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And a judge has ruled he can't apply for parole for at least another 22 years.

Mr O'Rourke, 29, had been beaten, stabbed and tied up before choking to death on his own vomit.

Taylor then wheeled him out of the flat in a shopping trolley and dumped him in the stairs at Caulkers House in Shipwrights Avenue, Chatham.

Two other people, Caroline Rushworth and Daniel Fox, who were present in the flat that weekend, have both been acquitted of murder.

Maidstone Crown Court heard from Mr O'Rourke's mother Paula McColl who wrote in her personal statement read to Judge Philip Statman: "I will never forget it. It was early in the afternoon on the last bank holiday in August 2017 when two police officers knocked on my door.

"My first thought was it had something to do with my son James as he had been admitted to hospital a couple of weeks before after making another attempt to end his own life after swallowing batteries."

WATCH: Neil Taylor guilty of murdering James O'Rourke

Mr O'Rouke had gone missing after being released from hospital and Ms McColl thought officers had found him.

"They told me that James had been found dead and at first I just didn't believe it," she said.

"Then they told me that they had identified James through his fingerprints.

"It was complete and utter disbelief. I can't even wear the clothes I was wearing because it just reminds me of that day."

Ms McColl revealed she had spoken with her son just a few days earlier when he had asked for some money.

She told the judge when he was living in Dover, Mr O'Rourke was "always a popular person" with good school friends.

After becoming involved in drugs he moved to Thanet and became homeless and fell in with drugs users.

"I last saw him was six weeks earlier when I was helping him deal with housing benefits.

"James told me that he didn't like Chatham and he didn't know anyone and he felt completely alone.

"James couldn't stay in Thanet because he was being cuckooed and the bed and breakfast place he was staying in was being closed down."

She revealed on one occasion someone opened a car door when she was driving and a man demanded £250.

"He just wanted to be loved. He had a wicked sense of humour. But after leaving Dover he just became paranoid and was getting more and more distressed," she said.

WATCH: CCTV footage of James O'Rourke's last movements

"James used to cry constantly and just migrated towards the drugs scene and people just took advantage of James and he would just do whatever they said."

She revealed after his death his friends held a vigil for him in Dover where James had worked as a carer for vulnerable people.

Ms McColl said since her son's death she often wakes up after having "vivid dreams".

The court heard her son had gone to the flat where Taylor and Ms Rushworth lived and together with Fox and got some drugs.

But during the Bank Holiday weekend, the group "fuelled on drink and an unholy cocktail of prescription and illegal drugs" fell out when drugs went missing and Mr O'Rourke was blamed.

He was attacked as he tried to leave and at one point kicked between the legs before his clothes were removed leaving him wearing just boxer shorts.

"I can't even wear the clothes I was wearing when police told me he was dead because it just reminds me of that day" - Paula McColl

His body was discovered by neighbours with eight fractured ribs and a cut down his chest.

The judge said Mr O'Rourke had died "a very painful death" and no-one had gone for help despite his appalling injuries.

He added that there had also been evidence of a cover-up after the death after as Taylor and Ms Rushworth feared losing the council flat if the death was reported.

The judge said murder highlighted the "misery and degradation" caused by drug addiction.

He commended investigating officers DC Steve Biddis, DC Jo Paine, and DC Chris Brett "for leaving no stone unturned" in a very complex case.

He also praised Ms MColl who had attended each day of the three trials, adding: "One thing is for certain, Mr O'Rourke had a most wonderful mother".

Investigating officer detection sergeant Stephen Biddiss, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Mr O'Rourke sustained 60 injuries following this horrendous attack by a man he knew and trusted.

"Not only was he betrayed by a friend, after he was hurt, he was left to die inside the flat, rather than receive the help he desperately needed.

"Taylor even went so far to as remove his body in an attempt to distance themselves from the murder.

"Throughout this investigation, Taylor denied the charges resulting in a trial which forced Mr O'Rourke's family to listen to all the details surrounding his death.

"I'd like to commend their integrity throughout this case and I hope the outcome of this trial offers some comfort."

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here

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