A homosexual man who belonged to a group of Walsall canal-side drinkers called the Breakfast Club was beaten to death with a meat cleaver and lump hammer by a man he befriended several days earlier, a jury heard yesterday.

Roger Smith QC, prosecuting at Stafford Crown Court, said the body of 36-year-old Francis Ryan was found in his ransacked and blood-soaked flat in July last year after he failed to meet a neighbour who became concerned and called the police.

"There was blood all over the hallway, a bedroom and lounge where his body was found.

"A pathologist said there were 53 injuries to his head, face and body and many consisted with having been caused by a meat cleaver.

"Some were caused by a lump hammer and there were fractures to his skull, and throat near his adam's apple."

He said when Clive Wood (45) of no fixed address, was arrested the following day he told detectives: "I left him in pain. I am not gay. He was touching me up and I hated gays.

"I am not saying any more until I have seen my solicitor."

Wood pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ray at his sixth floor in Jones House, Penkridge Street, Birchills, Walsall.

Mr Smith said Wood told the police he was drunk when he went to Mr Ryan's flat and woke up to find himself being indecently assaulted.

He said Mr Ryan had an axe and was swinging it at him. "I took it off him and delivered the first blow and blacked out. I did not intend to kill," Wood was alleged to have said.

The hearing continues.