A Supreme Court jury took less than an hour yesterday to find Anthony Edwin Flood guilty of murdering 57-year-old Vincello (Johnny Peppers) Richardson. He was sentenced to life in prison.

The unanimous decision by the eight-man, four-woman jury also said the 28-year-old Flood was guilty of burglary. But it found him not guilty of robbery. When given an alternative charge of stealing, by Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs Justice Wade, the jury found Flood guilty.

She sentenced Flood to life in prison for murder and six years in prison for each of the other counts, which will run concurrently.

Last year Flood was charged with murdering Richardson and stealing $3,400 from him outside his York Street St. George's apartment during the early hours of the morning on December 17.

Mrs. Wade told an unemotional Flood: "It's a shame this happened because of drinking and drugs. And in its best light this crime can only be described as diabolical.'' Mrs. Wade also said that the time Flood has already spent in custody will be taken into consideration.

Flood's lawyer Mr. Tim Marshall told the court that his client deeply regrets what he did and wished he could take back what happened.

"When he is abusing drugs it's like night and day. He extends his apology to his family and the pain that this has caused them,'' Mr. Marshall said.

When asked if he had anything to say Flood apologised to his family, who broke down in tears after the sentencing.

Criminal investigator Sgt. Stuart Crockwell told the court of Flood's long criminal record, which dated back to 1984.

He added that Flood had numerous previous convictions for possessing drugs, wandering abroad and break-ins.

And he said Flood had assault convictions against Police and several other assault charges against other people.

Flood also had a lengthy list of stealing offences, violently resisting arrest, and causing bodily harm. In 1992, he was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to a man for which he received 175 hours of community service.

During the eight-day trial the court repeatedly heard through Police statements made by Flood and his own evidence while on the stand, that he had no intentions of killing Richardson and used the money he stole from him to get high on drugs so he could forget what he had done.

Flood said: "I had no control over my actions when I kicked Richardson to death.'' He added that after being slapped by Richardson, because he was teasing him, he didn't have any control over his actions.

Flood also told the court that he had been drinking shots of vodka and beer all day on December 16.

And when he saw Richardson sitting at the bar in the Caribbean Lounge he went over to him and teased him by calling him cousin.

After leaving the bar, Flood said he saw Richardson leaning against the wall along Pound Alley. He called him cousin again and told him he should go home because he was drunk.

"That's when he swung around and slapped me in my mouth. The next thing I knew I was on the ground. The slap was forceful because it knocked me out and my mouth was bleeding,'' Flood said.

He also told the court that when he started to regain consciousness he noticed Richardson going towards the door to his apartment.

He added: "I was angry, I got up and ran towards Richardson. He noticed me coming so he started running towards the St. George's Police station.

"I cut him off and jumped up in the air and kicked him in the face. He fell to the ground and he was dazed. I picked him up and he got on his feet and I Flood found guilty of Richardson's murder into his yard. I didn't have any control over my actions.'' Flood also said that after Richardson tripped, he noticed a bundle of money and picked it up.

"Richardson fell onto the ground and I was standing over him. He started calling me names and cursing at me and then he pulled at my pant legs trying to pull his way up,'' Flood said.

He added: "I started kicking him trying to get him away from me. After I stopped kicking there was no movement, I leaned over and started to shake him but he did not move. I checked for a pulse on his wrist and there was no pulse.'' Flood also said that after realising Richardson was dead he took cash out of his wallet and ran off until he met Eugene Broadley.

They then returned, dragged Richardson by the arms to the waters edge near the Caribbean Lounge and threw him overboard.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital pathologist Dr. John Winwick told the court that Richardson's death was caused bruising to the head and multiple lacerations.

On Tuesday, Crown Counsel Mr. Khamisi Tokunbo told the jury this trial was "clearly and open and shut case''.

Mr. Marshall was not available to comment on whether or not he would appeal the verdict.