A MAN who killed his next-door neighbour in a row about noisy DIY work was last night condemned by the victim's family for trying to cheat justice.

Christopher Hoyland was yesterday found guilty of murdering electrician George Evans on the doorstep of his home in Middlesbrough.

Hoyland had denied responsibility for the killing and claimed he was walking his sister's dog at the time of the fatal stabbing in November last year.

But a jury at Teesside Crown Court found him guilty at the end of an eight-day trial. Hoyland will be sentenced to life, but must return to court in a month to learn how long he will have to serve before being considered for parole.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, QC, ordered a report from a neurologist on the extent of brain damage Hoyland suffered in a street attack two years ago before setting a minimum tariff.

Hoyland, 42, left Mr Evans dying in a pool of blood after stabbing him in the throat with a kitchen knife on November 19, and then set about creating a false alibi.

He launched the surprise attack after becoming increasingly annoyed over noise Mr Evans, 48, was making as he carried out repairs to his home in St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough.

A diary recovered from his home included entries in the days leading up to the killing such "George next door has been pushing me over the edge - the noise."

Following the verdict, Mr Evans' family condemned Hoyland for not accepting responsibility for the killing and putting them through the ordeal of having to attend court.

Daughter Kay Boyle, 28, said: "We have had to listen to the most horrific stuff that happened to our dad and we should not have had to."

Her sister Jo Barr, 29, added: "We are just relieved it is over and glad that someone is being held responsible."

Detective Sergeant Andy Greenwood said: "No matter how aggrieved he felt about the noise emanating from the adjoining house as his neighbour carried out a series of DIY jobs, it does not justify the taking of a life.

"He then compounded matters by desperately trying to cover his tracks and denied all responsibility.

"The jury have seen through his lies and although Mr Evans' family will never get over the trauma of that night, this verdict can give them a starting point to put things behind them."