A man who murdered his neighbour by beating him in a savage attack involving a bag of Pokémon cards has been jailed for life.
"Pure evil" Andrew Hague killed Simon Wilkinson after accusing him of calling him a "nonce", bludgeoning him to death with the bag filled with metal boxes containing the cards, while also punching and stamping on him before hitting him with a piece of wood.
A court heard how dad-of-one Mr Wilkinson, 50, suffered catastrophic injuries in the assault at his home in Sheffield in August last year.
Other neighbours who witnessed the traumatising attack described Hague, 31, shouting: "You called me a f*****g nonce. Come out here and fight like a man."
Sheffield Crown court heard that, after the violent attack, Hague returned to the scene to end Wilkinson's life in what a judge described as an "act of mercy" while in a "deluded state".
His assault with the makeshift weapon was dubbed "ferocious and brutal", ultimately killing Mr Hague and leaving his 18-year-old daughter without a father.
Hague, 31, pleaded guilty to murder and was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars in Tuesday's sentencing.
The court heard Hague had been struggling with mental health issues but had refused his family's attempt to get him help, instead medicating with alcohol and cannabis which only aggravated his problems.
He already had seven convictions for violent behaviour, the court heard, including assaulting an emergency services worker, threatening behaviour and harassment.
Wilkinson's family described Simon as being loved for "his sense of humour, laughter, kindness and friendship", adding he was taken away by "pure evil".
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector John Fitzgibbons from South Yorkshire Police said: "No sentence passed can ease the grief and pain that Mr Wilkinson’s family and friends have faced daily since he was murdered, but I hope that with the conclusion of our investigation and legal proceedings today they feel that they now have some justice for their loved one.
"My thoughts are with them again today after what will have been another difficult day.
"Hague admitted murder and accepted responsibility for his senseless and brutal actions, which has devastated those who knew and loved Mr Wilkinson."
