A KILLER son murdered his dad then hid his body in a cardboard box to dump in a makeshift grave in the back garden.
Thomas Sykes, 41, left 67-year-old Anthony with head and face injuries during the horror attack at their home in Tamworth.
He then stuffed him in the box and left his dad's body by a shed for a number of days while digging a grave.
made the gruesome discovery when they went to the home amid fears Anthony had not been seen for a few days.
They also found gardening tools left close to the scene where Sykes had planned to dump his dad's body.
The killer son has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years after he was convicted of murder.
Stafford Crown heard Sykes killed his dad in August 2022 before moving the body outside.
The callous killer then took his dad's bank card and was captured on CCTV spending his in a supermarket.
Police became suspicious of his behaviour when they were called to the ground-floor home and searched the garden.
Forensic exams also found blood stains on the carpet in the front bedroom and on a cabinet.
Two sections of blood-stained carpet, which had been cut away, were found in a black bin bag in a wheelie bin outside.
Drone footage released by officers showed the deep grave Sykes had dug at the back of the garden.
A post-mortem found Anthony suffered head and face injuries in the attack and had died a few days before officers found his body.
Sykes denied responsibility – claiming he had found his dad's body on the floor in the bedroom and panicked.
He also told police he did not know what to do with the corpse so put Anthony in the cardboard box while preparing to bury him.
Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hannan said: ‘This is a tragic case of the death of a man at the hands of his own son. I am pleased with the sentence and that that justice has been served.
“We would like to thank the witnesses who, due to their diligence and looking out for their neighbour, ensured Tony was found and could be laid to rest appropriately.
“We would also like to thank the witnesses who came and gave evidence during the trial ensuring justice for Tony.”
