A KILLER who tied a recluse’s hands behind his back and shoved a sock in his mouth has been convicted of his manslaughter.

Paul Paget, of Brynderwen Road, Newport, was cleared of murdering Anthony Bubbins, 57 by a jury at the city’s crown court.

The 54-year-old had denied the charge during his two-week trial but he had admitted plundering his coin collection and other trinkets during a burglary at the victim’s home after his death.

Prosecutor Caroline Rees QC said when opening the trial: “We say that Mr Bubbins was a vulnerable man living alone in Christchurch Road.

“He was a hoarder and collector of coins and ornaments.

“On January 15, he was found with his hands tied behind his back with a 22cm sock pushed into his mouth. It forced his tongue into his airway.”

She added that the victim “led a reclusive life” and at the time leading up to his death, the defendant was a regular visitor who had previously stolen items from there to take to a buy and sell store in Newport.

The jury were told the curios Mr Bubbins had collected were a “potential treasure trove” and that Paget was “in need of money”.

The victim’s flat was ransacked following his manslaughter with his killer selling gold sovereigns and another coin for £655 at City Treasures in Newport city centre.

Paget returned there and was paid just £15 for further items which included a statue of a pelican, a Royal Air Force medal and Star Trek plate.

The jury were also told about the defendant’s criminal past and a similar offence he was convicted of in 2000 for robbery and false imprisonment.

Nearly 20 years before had tied up his victim’s ankles and hands in a railway signal box with electrical wire.

He was threatened with a knife and struck over the head with a scaffold pole.

The court was also told how he had 22 previous convictions for offences of dishonesty, including theft and burglary.

Paget, who was defended by David Elias QC, claimed Mr Bubbins had sexually assaulted his close friend and neighbour.

The killer told the jury how he had struggled with Mr Bubbins at his flat after Jonathan Browning had made the allegation against him. 

He said his neighbour, who died on January 2, told him that a man, the defendant later understood to be the manslaughter victim, had performed a sex act on him.

Mr Elias asked Paget to describe what happened after he said he had invited Mr Bubbins to his home on January 9 for a meal.

The defendant told of how the pair began to fight and after he mentioned the sex claim made by Mr Browning.

The judge, Mr Justice Simon Picken, adjourned sentence until next week and Paget was remanded in custody.

A co-defendant in the case, Steven Appleton, 32, of Seabreeze Drive, Newport, is also due to sentenced after he admitted committing a burglary at Mr Bubbins’ home.

He also pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis to Paget between January 9 and 15 and producing cannabis on January 4.

Outside the court, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Pope said: “This was a tragic case that resulted in the death of Anthony Bubbins.

"Hopefully this conviction will bring some closure to his family in terms of the criminal justice process.

"Our condolences remain with those who have suffered his loss.

"I would also like to pay tribute to all the officers involved for the professional way they have dealt with this complex incident.”