A 48-YEAR-old man has today been found guilty of murdering a Great Yarmouth granddad. Paul Slack, of no fixed address, was found guilty by a jury at Norwich Crown Court of murdering Alan Bowles at his Yarmouth Way flat in May last year.

A 48-YEAR-old man has today been found guilty of murdering a Great Yarmouth granddad.

Paul Slack, of no fixed address, was found guilty by a jury at Norwich Crown Court of murdering Alan Bowles at his Yarmouth Way flat in May last year.

David Comer, 40 of Broad Row, Yarmouth, was found not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter, however he had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Kathleen Johnson, 58 of no fixed address, was found guilty of manslaughter. Johnson and Slack are due to be sentenced tomorrow while Comer will be sentenced at a later date.

Mr Bowles, 64, was discovered dead in his home on May 28, 2007, by a CID officer who had forced entry into the flat.

A murder investigation involving almost 40 officers was immediately launched by senior investigating officer Det Insp Andy Guy.

A post-mortem examination revealed the father-of-two had suffered five fractured ribs, numerous bruises and been smothered - but eventually died when his own walking stick was rammed more than eight inches into his windpipe. The weapon was removed and thrown into the nearby river and has never been recovered.

During the trial Norwich Crown Court heard that Slack had befriended Mr Bowles and moved into his flat and Comer and Johnson were regular visitors.

Police were led to Slack, Johnson and Comer after Slack had told several people that he had killed Mr Bowles. Slack was arrested by police in Haverhill, Suffolk, while Comer and Johnson were arrested in Yarmouth. The three suspects were questioned and later charged with Mr Bowles' murder.