THE murderer of a gay hairdresser has been sentenced to life in prison.
James O’Connor, 20, formerly of Huyton, now of The Brow, Runcorn, admitted murder after stamping on 18-year-old Michael Causer’s face at a drunken party on Biglands Drive, Huyton, on July 25 last year.
Sentencing him to a minimum of 11½ years in prison Mr Justice King accepted O’Connor did not act out of homophobic motives, but described him as “ignoble” and “cowardly”.
Co-defendant Michael Binsteed, 19, who was accused of perverting the cause of justice, was sentenced to 34 weeks in custody, suspended for two years.
He was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service in 12 months.
Speaking outside court, Michael’s parents, Marie and Michael Causer, said: “This is another black day for Michael. It’s just pathetic.”
