A MAN who stabbed his defenceless neighbour 24 times after an argument has been jailed for life.

John Lesbirel, aged 42, grabbed a knife from the kitchen of his victim’s home and launched a “frenzied” attack on Kevin Fielding, who had Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.

After his arrest, Lesbirel initially denied knowing Mr Fielding, but pleaded guilty to murder at Manchester Crown Court on Monday — the day his trial was due to start.

His DNA was found in blood smeared around Mr Fielding’s home in Cameron Street.

Sentencing Lesbirel to life imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years, the judge, Mr Justice Ernest Ryder told him: “He was not able to respond quickly enough to get away from your assault.

“He had Asperger’s syndrome, epilepsy and learning difficulties. He was a man who should have been helped, not belittled or bullied.”

The court heard that Lesbirel, who lived in a neighbouring block of flats, would shout abuse at Mr Fielding when he saw him in the street. Some time between November 26 and 30 last year, he went to Mr Fielding’s flat to confront him after he complained about the noise of another neighbour’s DIY work.

The argument got out of hand and Lesbirel stabbed Mr Fielding 24 times, leaving him lying on the floor covered in blood.

Lesbirel then washed the knife under running water and left it in the kitchen, said Stuart Driver QC, prosecuting.

He searched the property and stole several items, including a smart card containing photographs of Mr Fielding and keys to a cash box in the flat. They were later found dumped in bushes at nearby Whitehead Park.

Richard Pratt QC, defending, said Lesbirel had a mental disorder and his behaviour could be “bizarre and volatile”. He added that Lesbirel had not planned to attack Mr Fielding, but lost his temper.

Mr Fielding, aged 41, was found at 10am on November 30 by a support worker from Bury Council. It is not known when he died, but he had been expected to go on a trip on November 27 organised by the council’s adult services department.

A different member would choose an activity each week and Mr Fielding had chosen to go to the big wheel in Manchester, but he did not attend. After the hearing, Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, the council’s executive director for adult care services, spoke of the deep shock at Mr Fielding’s death.

“Kevin had lived in the community since 1995, which he enjoyed and was determined to succeed at.

He was very independent and had many friends, going on holidays and days out, and meeting the traders on Bury Market where he did his shopping.

Mr Fielding’s family issued a statement, saying: “Words cannot express how devastated we have been by this. Kevin was such a lovely man — everyone who met him could see how kind he was. We will never get over losing Kevin in these circumstances, but hopefully we will learn to cope. The whole family has come together to find the strength we need to get through this. We would just like to say thank you to all those who were involved in the case and for all the kind messages of support.”

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Marsh said: “Kevin was a happy, friendly and popular person, who enjoyed life and in no way deserved what happened to him. In contrast, Lesbirel is nothing more than a nefarious individual, who attacked Kevin and continued to attack him while he lay dying on the floor.”