Life sentence for killing housemate

An Irishman who tortured his housemates for money was jailed for life at the Old Bailey yesterday for kicking one of them to …

An Irishman who tortured his housemates for money was jailed for life at the Old Bailey yesterday for kicking one of them to death. John Long (23), from Co Mayo, burnt a former friend, Mr John Cunningham, with cigarettes and red-hot kitchen utensils, a court heard.

He also twisted Mr Gerry Fitzsimmons's arm behind his back until his elbow broke. Then he clubbed Mr Fitz simmons (43), with a stick and kicked him in the ribs fracturing nine of them. A month later Mr Fitzsimmons died in hospital and Long fled to Ireland.

He was extradited from his home at Murrivagh, Mulrany, Westport, Co Mayo, to face the charges.