A HEAVY metal fan who killed his next-door neighbour who had come round to complain about the loud music he was playing has been jailed for life.

Mark Laverick came to the door of his house in the early hours in August last year with a knife and stabbed 39-year-old Steve Norrington.

The wound pierced Mr Norrington's heart and he died from loss of blood less than two hours later, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

Giving evidence Laverick, 34, of Broomfield, Herne Bay, claimed that because of previous threats he was terrified of being stabbed when he went to his front door to confront Mr Norrington and that was why he had picked up the knife from a kitchen worktop.

He said he was devastated when he realised he had killed the man who had once been a friend.

The jury of seven men and five women decided by a majority of 11 to one, that he was guilty of murder.