A MAN who killed his close friend while on a fishing trip has been convicted of murder.
Nathan Muat, 45, faces a life sentence when he appears at Liverpool Crown Court tomorrow.
Muat believed he had got away with murder after claiming that victim Peter Seeclear had had an epileptic fit.
However, a post mortem revealed he had suffered severe chest injuries.
After an eight day trial a unanimous verdict was reached by the jury today.
Muat, of Upper Parliament Street, Toxteth, claimed he had acted in self-defence after Mr Seeclear, also 45, had hit him on the head.
But the court heard that although the two men were apparently best friends Muat used to bully Mr Seeclear.
As well as the fatal injuries he suffered, it was found that the victim had suffered other injuries preceding the fatal attack.
VICTIM: Peter Seeclear
Guy Gozem, QC, prosecuting, said that the defendant treated the victim, “like a servant, if not a dog".
Muat claimed that Mr Seeclear died suddenly while they were on a fishing trip at Stadt Moers Park in Whiston on October 30 last year.
He ran to a couple’s home in nearby Priory Close claiming that Mr Seeclear, of The Elms, Toxteth, had had a fit and asked them to call an ambulance.
Paramedics arrived and found him dead.
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