Two thugs have been jailed for life to kicking Ian Sutherland to death in his Harlesden council flat after he refused to hand over his benefits cheque.
John Francis Huggins, 48, and Mark Saunders, 42, demanded mild-mannered Ian Sutherland gave his bank details and tried to withdraw cash before the murder.
They then trapped him in his home in Sellons Avenue, Harlesden, before beating him until his rib cage was smashed and he was unable to breathe.
The pair were both sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 30 years.
On February 29, police discovered the body of the 43-year-old Liverpudlian after members of the public reported an unusual smell coming from his flat.
Huggins, of Rucklidge Avenue, Harlesden and Saunders, of Pound Lane, Harlesden who were both alcoholic drug users, had kidnapped Mr Sutherland three weeks earlier in a bid to steal his money.
Mr Saunders, described as a gentle man, who wouldn't have harmed anyone, was also a drinker and a drug user, but had not been using drugs at the time of his death.
During the Old Bailey trial that came to an end yesterday, jurors heard that Saunders had a long-standing grudge against Mr Sutherland and believed he had 'grassed him up' to police after a burglary in 2004.
Detective Inspector Kevin Naidoo, of the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "This was a vicious and prolonged attack that amounted to Ian Sutherland's violent death.
"His tragic death was motivated by Huggins consistently extorting money from him."
Both defendents were found guilty of murder.
Huggins was also found guilty of false imprisonment and witness intimidation. ABH and robbery charges against him were discontinued.
Saunders was found not guilty of false imprisonment and his ABH and robbery charges were discontinued.
A third person, a 33 year old woman, was found not guilty of false imprisonment.
