Image caption Michael Brennan had made a plan to kill his victim, the trial heard

A male escort has been jailed for life for the "cold and calculated" murder of an antiques dealer.

Michael Brennan, 23, lured client Paul Simons to a flat in Chelmsford, Essex, where he stabbed him repeatedly, the city's crown court heard.

The body of Mr Simons, 54, from Bushey in Hertfordshire, was found at the property in the early hours of 4 May.

Brennan admitted the killing but denied murder. He was told he must serve at least 22 years in prison.

He was described in court as having a complex "multiple personality disorder".

'Courage and dignity'

The court heard how he lured previous client Mr Simons to a flat in Moulsham Street.

Jurors were told Brennan, who also worked as a cleaner, had written a plan to kill Mr Simons that police found on a laptop.

It described how he would stab his victim before fleeing to hide in the countryside.

Det Insp Martin Pasmore described the killing as "a cold and calculated murder".

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, the detective said jurors had seen through Brennan's defence of diminished responsibility.

"They realised he knew exactly what he was doing when he lured Paul Simons to the Moulsham Street flat and stabbed him to death.

"This has been a very difficult trial for Paul's family who have shown great courage and dignity throughout."