Twins jailed for life for murder

James (left) and Stuart Head hit Mr Stemp with planks of wood

Identical twin brothers who beat a disabled man to death and set fire to his south London home have been jailed for life for murder.

James and Stuart Head, 34, from Orpington, were convicted of killing Nigel Stemp, 54, at his home in Longbury Drive, Orpington, last April.

The brothers killed Mr Stemp after housing officials made them reverse a planned home swap with him.

They were ordered to serve at least 16 years, at the Old Bailey.

"You are both equally culpable," Judge Richard Hone said in sentencing.

"You each have a low cunning and have shown absolutely no remorse."

'Savage murder'

During the trial prosecutor Brian Altman QC said Mr Stemp, a photographer who walked with the aid of sticks, was "the victim of a brutal and savage murder".

He had been hit over the head with planks of wood and possibly a hammer, and an attempt had been made to cut his throat, the court heard.

The brothers then set fire to his home to cover the crime.

Mr Stemp was a photographer who walked with the aid of sticks

Firemen made the "gruesome discovery" of Mr Stemp's charred body on his bed.

The jury was shown footage of the twins at a football match which the pair attended the day after the murder.

One was wearing a black shirt which was later found to contain the victim's blood.

James Head had previous convictions for criminal damage, destroying property and being drunk and disorderly.