A Waltham Forest man has been jailed for at least 30 years for the “motiveless” murder of a kindhearted father while on court bail.

Drug addict, Richard Hand of Falmouth Way stabbed Yassar Moussa, in the neck in August last year then dumped his naked body in a St James Park in Walthamstow.

The killing happened just 31 days after Hand was released on court bail charged with attacking a friend with an axe eight months before.

Following his sentencing on Tuesday, Hand, 43, was found guilty of murdering Mr Moussa 37, the attempted murder of his first victim Graeme Bennett, and having an offensive weapon.

Read more: Murder victim's partner blasts justice system for bailing killer

Mr Moussa’s partner Lauren Battye described the victim as a likeable, kindhearted, bubbly and intelligent man and proud father to their young child.

Earlier, the court heard that Hand, a heroin addict for the past 11 years had previous convictions dating back to 2006.

The court had heard how Hand attacked Mr Moussa at his home on August 22 last year.

Afterwards, he attempted to cover his tracks by stripping Mr Moussa’s body and covering him in bleach before stuffing him in a suitcase.

The next day, Hand dragged the case to St James Park and hid the body in heavy undergrowth near a small brook.

It was only by chance that the body was discovered on August 24 as Environment Agency workers cut back the undergrowth in the park for the first time in 10 years.

An examination of the body found Mr Moussa had been fatally stabbed in the neck and a wound to his knee suggested a failed attempt at dismemberment.

On August 23, he was caught on CCTV dragging the heavy suitcase towards the park.

On the return trip, the suitcase appeared “much lighter”, the court was told.

Hand denied being responsible for the killing of Mr Moussa, who he knew as a fellow drug user.

He claimed two other men had been at his flat and he returned to find a pile of clothes and bloodstains in his living room.

Jurors were told that at the time of the killing, Hand had been on court bail for the attempted murder of Mr Bennett on January 29 last year.

Judge Rebecca Poulet QC jailed Hand for life with a minimum term of 30 years.

She told him: “Both of your victims were known to you but your terrible actions remain motiveless and unexplained.

She sentenced Hand to a further 22 years for attempted murder and one year for having an axe, all to run concurrently with the life term.