The man who fatally stabbed and injured a grandfather in his Coulsdon home has been jailed.

Patrick Beckley, 32, was sentenced to to life with a minimum of 21 years imprisonment on Monday (October 25).

He was previously convicted at an earlier hearing of the murder of Michael Lavery, as well as actual bodily harm of two other men and assault on an emergency worker.

Michael died on October 16 last year after he was attacked inside his home address off Reddown Road in Coulsdon.

Paramedics and police attended the scene after they were called to reports of a man seriously injured at the property.

Inside, they found Michael "suffering head injuries and stab wounds". "Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 22:00hrs," the Met Police recalled.

He was 59.

Beckley was located and arrested nearby, and an investigation was launched by detectives with Scotland Yard's Specialist Crime Command.

Your Local Guardian: Patrick Beckley. Image: Met PolicePatrick Beckley. Image: Met Police

It was established that Beckley attacked Michael in a random attack with Beckley suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. Another man was also assaulted, as well as an officer who responded.

Beckley and Michael were not known to each other and no clear motive was ever established.

"Our dad was an incredibly kind, generous, lovey man. He was a wonderful dad and granddad. He is missed terribly every day and will forever be dearly loved," a spokesperson for Michael’s family said.

"We are grateful to the police for their thorough investigation which ultimately brought the offender to Justice," they added.

Detective Sergeant Jason Crinnion, of Specialist Crime South Area, based at Lewisham Police Station, said: "Beckley is a dangerous and violent offender and will now serve a substantial amount of time in prison following this horrendous crime. Michael was no threat at all that day. Beckley's attack was random and violent and left Michael's family devastated as a result."