A FORTY-year-old is behind bars after attacking and killing a Shrewsbury man whose body was found at a flat in the town.

Shawn Heath Adams must serve at least six years and 312 days of his sentence, a judge at Stafford Crown Court ruled.

Adams, of The Paddocks, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, admitted the manslaughter of 30-year-old Wesley Morris.

He had denied an initial charge of murdering Mr Morris at a flat in Lancaster Road, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, in October but admitted the lesser charge on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Mr Morris following the sentencing.

A family statement read: “We, his family, have been completely devastated by his loss.

“The impact upon us has been deep and profound and it has only been through our closeness and inner resolve that we have been able to cope to any extent with this tragedy.

“The Morris family would like to extend our most sincere gratitude for all of the support we have received since the tragic events of Wesley’s death. This has helped us through the most difficult of times.”

Lead investigator Det Chief Insp Paul Williamson said he was relieved Adams was behind bars.

He said: “The loss of a loved one in any circumstances is heartbreaking and even more so when they are the victim of such a senseless and vicious attack.

“It is only right that those who take the life of another person go to prison and that the public are protected from them.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to all who knew Wesley Morris, who was very much loved by his family.

“A remarkable feature of this tragedy is the courage shown by Wesley's parents, brothers and sisters throughout their ordeal.

“We have all been impressed by their dignity and are also grateful for the full support they have given during what must have been an extremely difficult time for them.

“We hope that the conclusion of the court proceedings can bring them some measure of comfort.”

This was one of the first cases to come to court under the new law upon diminished responsibility and loss of control.

The case had to address the new statutory tests that now exist under Section 3 of the Homicide Act 1957, as amended in October 2010.

DCI Williamson added: “We hope that today’s sentencing will give reassurance to the family and to the people of Shrewsbury that when these tragic crimes do happen, no effort will be spared to bring those responsible before the courts to see justice done.”