by Keith Hunt

A thug who brutally slit a friend's throat in a frenzied attack is facing life behind bars after a jury convicted him of murder today.

Paul Prendergast showed no reaction as Judge Jeremy Carey jailed him for a minimum of 23 years and told him: "It was a despicable act by a man I judge has no moral scruples whatsoever.

"You are a dangerous, unpredictable and violent man from whom the public must be protected."

Maidstone Crown Court heard both 45-year-old Prendergast and victim Cathal Hughes, who was 34, had convictions for violence. Prendergast admitted he had been a drug dealer.

Mr Hughes, of Mayers Road, Walmer, was repeatedly stabbed by Prendergast in a bedroom at his home in Margate Road, Ramsgate, in the early hours of August 16 last year.

Prendergast's son, then aged 16, was asleep in another bedroom at the time.

The knife blade was left embedded in the victim's throat and was only discovered during the post mortem examination.

Before calling the police, Prendergast and his girlfriend Kerri-Anne Waterton disposed of knives and other items, in Sandwich.

Prendergast, who said he was a former Olympic weightlifter, at first told police Mr Hughes was killed by drug dealers.

He later changed his story and claimed he fought back with a knife after Mr Hughes lashed out at him with a machete.

But Judge Carey said he rejected Prendergast's claim he was provoked in any way or that he acted in self-defence.

"This was a brutal killing, for which you must take the consequences," he added.

The judge said Prendergast will serve a minimum of 23 years before being considered for parole.