WILLIAM Cummins has been jailed for life for murdering his friend Jackie Harrison at her Worcester home.

Cummins, aged 51, of no fixed address, was given the 17-year sentence after being found guilty by an unanimous jury decision at Worcester Crown Court today.

Miss Harrison, 48, was found battered to death at her flat in Gresham Road, Dines Green, Worcester, on April 12.

She suffered multiple injuries, including a broken jaw and a number of broken ribs, and the cause of death was injuries which had led to bleeding in the airways and stravation of oxygen to the brain.

Ms Harrison's family today released this statement:

"We are delighted with the verdict today and the fact that justice has been done.

"We would like to express our sincere thanks to West Mercia Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their diligent investigation into our Mum's murder.

"We'd also like to thank everyone who has helped to get us through this ordeal.

"We hope we can now have some form of closure to these tragic events and begin to rebuild our shattered lives."