MURDERER Simon Taylor was jailed for life yesterday after he was found guilty of killing his friend in a suspected row over drugs.

The 36-year-old will serve a minimum of 18 years in prison after the body of 35-year-old Mark Carroll was discovered at the killer's home address in Marston Road, Stafford.

Stafford Crown Court heard the body of Mr Carroll was found in March last year after he was last seen alive on January 23.

Staffordshire Police said Taylor concealed the body of Mr Carroll at the house, where the victim had been sleeping for at least two months.

After sentencing at Stafford Crown Court yesterday, Mr Carroll's family issued the statement: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the agencies involved in finally obtaining justice for Mark.

"Their dedication and unwavering loyalty to us has been tremendous, particularly our family liaison officer DC Pete Cox. We will never be able to thank them enough.

"The support from friends of Mark has shown us just how much he was loved.

"They have stood beside us throughout and we are eternally grateful to them.

"The pain from losing Mark is insurmountable and we will never be able to close the door on it.

"He was our beloved son and brother and his life was stolen needlessly.

"Nothing can bring him back but the knowledge of knowing his killer has been brought to justice will hopefully let Mark rest in peace and dull the aching loss we have to live with."

Detective Inspector Darren Harding, who led the inquiry, said after Taylor was found guilty: "Both men were heavy drugs users and it appears that Mark was, tragically, killed in a row over drugs.

"Mark's family are continuing to receive our support at this tremendously difficult time. Hopefully, the outcome will come as some comfort to them."