A MAN has been convicted of killing his ex-partner following a row over loud music at his Netherton home.

Rickardo Wilson initially claimed mother-of-eight Claire Harris was drunk after she was found lying on the floor by one of her sons.

The son had visited Wilson’s address in Cinder Bank after becoming concerned over the whereabouts of his mother who hadn’t returned home as planned on January 24 this year.

After Wilson finally answered the door the son found his mother sprawled on the floor.

The 44-year-old had suffered 86 injuries - half of them to her head and face - and was confirmed dead at the scene.

Giving evidence during the trial at Stafford Crown Court, Wilson told the jury he ‘never intended to hurt’ Ms Harris and she died as he ‘restrained her’.

Wilson claimed Ms Harris could be aggressive when she had a drink and their relationship had been volatile.

The couple, who had been together since 2014, split up in November last year and Miss Harris went to live with her sons in Dudley.

She had allowed Wilson to remain in the ground-floor flat she rented while he looked for alternative accommodation and had gone round that night to have dinner.

Wilson said they had been having a laugh and joke with one another, but there was a problem with a neighbour over the volume of music.

Wilson told the jury that after an argument with the neighbour, he had turned the music down but she kept turning the volume up and claimed she had punched him on the left side of the face and grabbed him by the ears.

Wilson said he pushed her off and she backed away and she had gone towards the knife block, got a knife and came walking back towards him.

He told the court he grabbed the sleeve of the hand holding the knife and had another hand around her neck to ‘secure her’.

Wilson added he then lost his balance and realised he was going to fall. After they fell down together, he moved himself to one side and told the court he could see her face and her eyes were closed, so he let go of her, claiming to have thought she had fainted.

Under cross examination, Wilson denied losing his temper and said he was only restraining the victim.

Inspector Paul Joyce, from West Midlands Police's Force CID team, said: “Following a detailed investigation, we have finally got the answers Ms Harris’ family have been waiting for in this tragic case.

“I hope this can give the family some comfort, knowing the person responsible for their loved one’s death has been dealt with accordingly."

A tribute from Ms Harris’ family following her death said: “Mom was always there when we needed her most and always had a great story to tell.

“She was our rock when our dad sadly passed after a battle with cancer in March 2017.

“Having to deal with losing both our parents in the space of nine months has been the most heart-breaking thing we will ever have to face.

“She was taken from us all too soon, and it’s left a big hole in our hearts. Our memories will live on in all of her children."

Wilson has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced in September.