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A man has been jailed for life after he was convicted of killing and eating three men.

Russian meat plant worker Eduard Seleznev, 51, said that “voices” in his head had told him to commit the gruesome crimes.

The murderer - found to be sane - had been previously convicted of two killings but was released after serving 13 years in jail.

He also confessed to killing and eating cats, dogs and birds, say reports.

The bearded cannibal’s latest victims were a 59-year-old acquaintance followed by two other friends aged 43 and 34, a court was told.

(Image: IC in Arkhangelsk region)

He plied them with alcohol and stabbed them after they fell asleep, the jury heard.

The first victim was knifed in the chest and after eating part of the body, the rest of his corpse was thrown in a river in Arkhangelsk region.

The next two men were also stabbed and after eating part of their bodies, the dismembered remains were packed in plastic bags and thrown in Lake Butygino.

A law enforcement video shows the cannibal indicating to detectives were he disposed of the human remains.

(Image: TVC)

"In the direction of Pirsa, on the left bank, there is a hospital and a kindergarten,” he said.

“I can show you where I dumped the body parts.”

Footage also showed the killer in a metal cage in court.

"Eduard Seleznev was sentenced to life imprisonment in a special regime colony,” said a statement from the regional court.

He will never be freed.

(Image: IC in Arkhangelsk region)

“The court took into account his persistent antisocial attitudes, demonstrating complete disregard for human life.”

The accused had insisted he was innocent and told the court: "Let the jury decide whether I am guilty or not.”

The guilty verdict was unanimous.

The cannibal was sentenced to life in a special regime prison colony from which he will never be released.

State prosecutor Ivan Zavorukhin said he was “satisfied” with the life sentence.

“For such crimes that the maximum punishment should follow,” he said.

An investigative source said “complex examinations” were needed to establish the identity of the cannibal’s victims.