A coin enthusiast has been convicted of murder after stabbing a fellow collector 17 times while trying to steal a rare set of Beatrix Potter 50ps.

Danny Bostock, 33, attacked 52-year-old Gordon McGhee in his bedroom before turning on the gas cooker and lighting a dishcloth, seemingly to cause an explosion and destroy evidence of the killing.

Mr McGhee, who had disturbed Bostock while he was attempting to swipe his stash of limited edition coins, was left covered in blood at his home in Colchester, Essex.

Bostock denied but was convicted of murder and attempted arson by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court.

The majority of Mr McGhee's coin collection, the murder weapon and the clothes Bostock was wearing that night have never been found.

Bostock was a collector of limited edition circulation coins, which included Beatrix Potter 50ps.

He had been drinking with Mr McGhee and other friends in a block of flats in the early hours of 22 August last year before he sneaked into Mr McGhee's flat to swipe the coins, the court heard.

When Mr McGhee caught him red-handed, Bostock stabbed him 17 times, including in the face and neck, before fleeing on a bicycle.

Footprints from his trainers were found traipsed around the flat.