Man jailed for homeless killing

John Higgins had denied any involvement in the attack

A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a homeless man who was kicked to death in a bus shelter.

John Higgins, 22, of Fox Street, Edgeley, Greater Manchester, even called police to report that Kevin Thompson, 66, was injured.

Mr Thompson was found at the bus stop in Stockport, where he regularly slept. He had been kicked in the head and face and died later in hospital.

Higgins was found guilty of murder at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said Higgins called them to say he had seen Mr Thompson injured in the shelter.

An hour earlier, he had called into Stockport police station, asking whether he was wanted on a warrant.

'Sustained and violent'

CCTV footage showed he had changed his clothes before speaking to officers on Greek Street, where the attack happened, an hour later.

Police later found a pair of bloodstained boots at Higgins' home.

Det Insp John Ogdon, of GMP, said: "The attack on Kevin was sustained and violent, which resulted in his death, and Higgins' sentence reflects the severity of his crime.

"Kevin was a well-known and well-liked man, who did not cause anyone any trouble.

"Higgins' attack on him, in the bus stop that was almost a home to him, appears to have been unprovoked."