A homosexual barman convicted of murdering his pub licensee lover must spend at least 15 years behind bars.

Callum Adams sat in the dock at Bradford Crown Court with his head in his hands after the jury returned its guilty verdict yesterday afternoon.

He was unanimously convicted of murdering Kevan Worrall at the Seven Stars pub, in Greengates, Bradford, on Sunday, September 13, last year.

Deputy High Court Judge Sir Geoffrey Grigson told Adams: “You killed Kevan Worrall, a man you professed to love. You took your opportunity and suffocated him by holding his face into a mattress.”

The judge said he accepted there was some provocation but it did not cause Adams to lose self control.

“You could have walked away,” he told him.

Sir Geoffrey said it was an aggravating feature that Adams, 37, tried to implicate Seven Stars barman Dean Lenihan in the killing.

Adams was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years. Wearing a dark suit and open neck white shirt, he was impassive as he was led to the cells.

After the case, Detective Superintendent Dave Pervin, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police, said: “Callum Adams believed he had got away with murder.

“This was a callous and deceitful act of evil towards his former partner, Kevan Worrall, after which he tried to cover his tracks and blame others for the death.

“I hope that Kevan’s loving family, who have attended court throughout, can take some comfort from seeing his murderer convicted.”

Reacting to the verdict, Mr Worrall’s brother, Cyril, said: “Obviously, we are thrilled, it’s the right decision.”

His father, also Cyril, said: “He has got 15 years. He will be out in ten. It is not long enough. I know what it says in the Bible – that is ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. As far as I’m concerned, they should bring back the death sentence.”

Mr Worrall’s friend of more than 30 years, Alan Marshall, said: “Today, it was the right verdict. It is like an early Christmas present. My best friend’s murderer has been served justice.

“Kevan was a gentle giant and I miss him every day. He was loving and helpful and would not hurt anyone.”

During the trial, pub locals said Adams announced: ‘Someone’s going to die tonight,’ in the hours before the murder.

He was angry and upset and he and Mr Worrall, 46, were not on speaking terms.

At about 2am on the Sunday, Adams smothered Mr Worrall to death by pushing his face into a blow-up mattress in an upstairs bedroom at the pub.

He fled to London with the takings and Mr Worrall’s phone and laptop computer.

Adams posted a forged notice in the bar window saying: “Closed due to ill health. At hospital. Back later.”

He went to London and on to Yeovil where he was arrested two days later.

Adams was accused of “feigning floods of tears” after he was told his partner was dead. He said on Facebook: “I’m so gutted… I can’t stop crying.”

The Seven Stars stayed closed and locked up that Sunday. Locals raised the alarm and the police broke in and discovered Mr Worrall’s half-naked body.

The court heard that Mr Worrall and Adams had an open relationship and took part in gay sex threesomes.

Adams said Mr Worrall trawled gay websites but, when he had a date with another man the night before the murder, he was very angry.

Mr Worrall, who originated from South Yorkshire, was one of ten children. He worked as a miner and a pub doorman before becoming a licensee. He took over the Seven Stars in June last year.