TWO men have been jailed for life after murdering a man in an "exceptionally brutal" and "inexplicably violent" attack at his own home earlier this year.

Craig Stanton and Alexander MacKay must serve a minimum of 25 years and 23 years, respectively, for the killing of 61-year-old Saleem Butt at his home in Batley on April 24.

Stanton, 43, of Southgate, Huddersfield, and MacKay, 47, of School Crescent, Dewsbury, bound, beat and stabbed together the kind-hearted Mr Butt in the early hours of April 24 at his home in Hyrstlands Road, Batley.

In a hearing today, Leeds Crown Court heard the men had been found guilty of entering Mr Butt's home through an open window before tying him up and attacking him during a burglary.

The pair ransacked Mr Butt's house, but did not appear to have taken anything of value.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Butt had died as a result of severe head and neck injuries following a sustained attack.

Stanton and MacKay were both arrested a few days after the killing following a significant investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who led the investigation, said: “The murder of Saleem Butt was a horrific offence in which Stanton and McKay subjected him to a sustained and exceptionally brutal attack in his own home.

“The level of violence they inflicted on Saleem was frankly inexplicable and point to the very real danger these two men pose.

“We welcome the strong sentences they have been given today which very much reflect the extreme gravity of their actions.

“Mr Butt was very well known and was a keen gardener who was always happy to do favours for his neighbours.

"I know his murder created real shock in his community and I wish to thank residents who assisted our enquiries to locate these very dangerous men.

“I hope seeing them sentenced will bring some comfort to Mr Butt’s family and those who knew and were friends with him.”