A 24-YEAR-OLD has been jailed for life for murdering a war veteran during a burglary.

Daniel Crompton, of no fixed address, was convicted of murdering Frank Worsley, aged 87, this morning.

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He launched into a tirade of abuse as he was sent down, shouting: "I hope you are pleased with yourselves. I wouldn't advise you to do jury service again" towards the jury as he was led to the cells.

Crompton had earlier wept as the verdict was read out to the court and shouted "sorry" to his family in the public gallery.

Mr Worsley died at Royal Bolton Hospital on August 20 — nearly three weeks after he was repeatedly punched at his home by Crompton.

Crompton had climbed through the upstairs bathroom window in Mr Worsley’s mid-terrace home in Longfield Road, Daubhill, in the early hours of Saturday, August 3 last year.

He confronted Mr Worsley, who had been sleeping, and punched him several times in the face after he refused to give in to his demands for cash.

A jury of seven women and five men convicted Crompton of murder after a trial at Manchester Crown Court this afternoon.

He was found guilty by a majority verdict of 10-2 after a day-and-half of deliberation.

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Prosecutor Rob Hall said the starting point for Crompton's sentencing should be 25 years but Daniel Janner QC, defending, said the sentence should start at 15 years.

Speaking outside the courtroom, Mr Hall, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Mr Worsley’s family have lost someone they loved greatly through the violent actions of Mr Crompton.

"The family are to be complimented on the quiet dignity with which they have observed this case throughout.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Mr Worsley at this difficult time.

“Mr Crompton fully contested the allegation of murder in the knowledge of his guilt.

"He was well aware of the risks he was taking in burgling that house, beating Mr Worsley and then denying it to the jury.

"He will now face the consequences of his actions.

“I would like to thank the jury for the obvious care and attention that they have applied to this case in reaching this verdict.

"I would also like to thank GMP for their determination in the investigation.”

The court heard Crompton, a father-of-one, has committed 42 offences previously since the age of 14.

The convictions include an attempted street robbery in which somebody was threatened with a knife.

In another incident he threw a cup of hot sugared water over an inmate while in custody.

The jury had previously just been told about two burglaries he had committed, one at the age of 14 in which he was acting as the "lookout" for his uncle.

Mr Justice Mark Turner sentenced Crompton to life in jail, and he must serve a minimum of 18 years before he will be considered eligible for release.

Crompton was sentenced for murder along with two counts of burglary - one at the home of Mr Worsley and one in St Helens Road, Daubhill, hours before the fatal attack.

Crompton previously admitted the two burglaries and was sentenced to 18 months in jail for each count.

The jail terms will run concurrently to the murder sentence.