Man gets life for killing lover

A man has been given a life sentence after being convicted of the "heinous" murder of his gay lover.

Jailing 27-year-old Francis Patrick Ferris at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, Mr Justice Gillen ruled he would have to serve at least 10 years before being considered for release.

The court heard Ferris had strangled Noel Toland, 36, with a video lead at their home on Garvaghy Road, Portadown on 27 March last year.

Prosecuting QC Carl Simpson said that after brutally beating and strangling his victim, Ferris went to a local garage to buy cigarettes and a pack of sandwiches.

He ate half of the sandwiches then returned home to check on a chicken roasting in the oven.

Violent argument

Mr Simpson said that the couple, who had decided to move England to start a new life had spent the day drinking and then joined family and friends of Mr Toland for a going away party in a Lurgan bar.

According to Ferris, on their return home Mr Toland became jealous, accusing him of "fancying someone".

The argument continued before Ferris became violent.

You have also indelibly marked the lives of those who held him dear

Mr Justice Gillen

He began punching Mr Toland and strangling him with his hands for about two minutes until he appeared to have stopped struggling. He then strangled him with the video lead.

Defence QC Jim Lavery said by his guilty plea, Ferris had shown genuine remorse.

In his closing remarks, Mr Justice Gillen said: "You have not only deprived him of his life, but you have also indelibly marked the lives of those who held him dear."