A MAN has been convicted of murdering an Ipswich hairdresser in a brutal knife attack.

Rodney Greenland, 47, of Manchester Road, Ipswich, was this afternoon found guilty of murdering Simon Amers after the jury had deliberated for just a few hours.

Mr Amers, 36, was found dead at his flat in Widgeon Close, Chantry, in July last year.

Greenland had denied murdering the hair stylist between July 27 and July 30 but admitted manslaughter.

During the trial, Greenland’s defence team argued that he was suffering from a mental illness when he plunged a knife into Mr Amers seven times and slashed his neck on at least 12 occasions.

Greenland had gone to Mr Amers’ flat after the pair had met while drinking in Ipswich.

Greenland claimed Mr Amers, who was gay, had made homosexual advances to him. It is claimed these brought back memories of when Greenland was sexually abused at school as a child.

The killer will be sentenced at 10.30am tomorrow morning.