A thug who stabbed an accountant to death in a "homophobic" attack has been found guilty of murder.

Mark Malone, 30, stabbed Jeff Akers, 50, in his back near a beauty spot in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Mr Akers, originally from Barry, south Wales, had lived with his partner Mike Drew for 22 years.

Ann Cotcher QC, prosecuting, said: "It was a totally unprovoked attack by Mark Malone and the only possible motive homophobia, a dislike of homosexuals. It was a deliberate attack and it was a ferocious attack."

Malone, a married father from Walton-on-Thames, had earlier been seen in the area waving a knife and looking angry as if he was "on a mission".

In May 2003 he was jailed for three months for twice punching an autistic man he believed was staring and winking at him in Helston, Cornwall.

The Old Bailey heard he had a string of previous convictions for violence and theft dating back to the age of 15.

Malone has been remanded in custody until December 5, pending psychiatric reports, but was told he faced an automatic life sentence.

He said: "I think it may well be that there are deeper psychological problems."

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