A CO Antrim man was told yesterday that he will spend the next 12 years behind bars for the murder of Laurence Shaw at his home in Larne.
Jackie McDowell (40) was handed a life sentence in May after he admitted murdering Mr Shaw in the living room of his Hillmount Gardens home on October 8, 2017.
The 56-year-old former joiner was found with knife wounds to his neck and chest.
McDowell was told he will serve a minimum term of 12 years before he is considered eligible for release by the Paroles Commission.
Before passing sentence, the Belfast Recorder, judge David McFarland, was told by prosecution barrister Jackie Orr than while McDowell didn't enter a guilty plea at the first opportunity, he did accept responsibility when he was arrested two days after the murder.
Ms Orr revealed that Mr Shaw's lifeless body was found in his living room after police received a report on Monday October 9, 2017. Officers were told the deceased had been socialising in his flat that weekend with several people, one of whom had been McDowell, in a "drinking session."
Mr Shaw has suffered a severe laceration to his neck, had been stabbed in the chest, and had tissue paper stuffed into his mouth.
After police began investigations it soon emerged that McDowell has been in Mr Shaw's house in the morning of Sunday October 8 - and was later taken to hospital after he was struck by a car on the A8 carriageway.
He was treated for multiple fractures and was arrested on Tuesday October 10 on suspicion of murder.
Items of clothes belonging to McDowell underwent forensic testing, and bore Mr Shaw's blood.
Two knives - one with a 16cm blade and the other with a 21cm blade - which were found in the living room, were also stained with the victim's blood.
Ms Orr told Judge McFarland that McDowell was interviewed on six occasions, when he "acknowledged" he caused Mr Shaw's death.
He told police he had been drinking and taking drugs, and than when he and Mr Shaw were sitting alone for a period on Sunday, talk turned to depression and suicide.
McDowell told police he lifted two knifes from the kitchen, and claimed Mr Shaw, who was lying on the sofa, told McDowell to 'kill me'.
He said he slashed Mr Shaw's throat and recalled how it "didn't feel real".
Defence barrister Charles MacCreanor QC said his client had written two letters - one to the judge and one to the Shaw family - and recognised the pain and hurt his actions have caused the Shaw family.
Passing sentence, Judge McFarland spoke of the devastating impact the murder has had on the Shaw family, but said he accepted it was not pre-planned.
Detectives from PSNI’s Major Investigation Team yesterday welcomed the sentence handed down describing the murder as "a senseless act of violence" which had left Mr Shaw's family traumatised.
Speaking outside court Margaret Shaw spoke of her brother as someone "well respected, loved and missed".
"He was the centre of our family. The chain is broken and we are missing a link," she said.
