A MAN who savagely stabbed his friend to death in a drink-fuelled rage has been handed a life sentence.

Ross Miller left 24-year-old Brandon Lee with more than 100 injuries after carrying out the brutal attack inside his flat on Victoria Road, South Shields.

Police were called to the address shortly before 4am on May 12 after a neighbour saw Miller covered in blood and holding a knife. Minutes later, Miller himself rang 999 and admitted he had just “killed a man”.

Inside the address, officers found Brandon with multiple stab wounds to his upper body, neck and head – and a motionless Miller sat in an armchair with a blood-soaked machete nearby.

Miller, 23, admitted killing Brandon but denied murder, claiming his actions were caused by diminished responsibility as a result of him suffering from alcohol dependency syndrome.

But on Tuesday Miller was found guilty of murder following a three-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court. He was back in the dock today as a judge sentenced him to life behind bars with a minimum term of 19 years.

Following the hearing, Brandon’s mother, Nicola, said: “I am absolutely heartbroken. He is going to be a massive miss to the whole family.”

Detective Sergeant Ewan Campbell, of Northumbria Police’s Homicide & Major Enquiries Team, condemned Miller's actions and thanked everyone who contributed towards securing his conviction.

He said: “This was a brutal killing which has sadly resulted in Brandon’s death. Our thoughts go out to his family at this awful time."

Garry Miller, of Beach Road, South Shields, was found not guilty of murder and cleared of all charges.