A barbaric killer who subjected his friend to a sickening attack with a machete lasting several hours has been jailed for life.
Robert Askew savagely killed David Teague while making Chloe Richardson, who he was holding captive at his home, watch his brutality.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Askew subjected Mr Teague to prolonged violence after becoming convinced he wanted to steal his cannabis plants following a psychotic reaction to taking drugs.
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When Mr Teague and his partner's daughter, Chloe, went to Askew's home in County Durham, he suddenly turned nasty after snorting cocaine, having previously taken amphetamine.
Askew, 35, of Wood View, Esh Winning, who already had 119 previous convictions, has now been jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum term of 24 years after he was found guilty of murdering the 33-year-old and falsely imprisoning and assaulting Chloe on Saturday April 24.
As he was sentenced, Chloe outlined her terror in a victim impact statement read to Newcastle Crown Court, in which she said she can't get Mr Teague's cries and begging for help out of her head.
Chloe said: "He kept me locked up for several hours for no apparent sensible reason and during that time he kept me locked up he basically tortured poor David to death.
"I find it hard to explain how terrifying that was.
"My mental health has plummeted and I've had to have professional help. I still have nightmares and flashbacks.
"I can't get David's cries and begs for help out of my mind as he was being murdered.
"I still see it in my sleep."
She added: "I had a great relationship with David and he treated me like a daughter.
"I still find it difficult to process he was murdered by Robert for absolutely nothing.
"I think I will be coming to terms with what I saw Robert do for the rest of my life."
The court heard Mr Teague's mother has spoken of the agony of burying the youngest child of the family and his brother told of his kindness and gentleness and his unwillingness to respond even if others offered violence.
He said he was a "placid lad" and he feels he will carry a burden because he was "unable to protect him from this awful death."
Sentencing Askew, Mrs Justice Foster said the evidence of Chloe, who was forced to watch the murder, makes it clear it was a "protracted" attack in which he "deliberately humiliated and taunted him".
She added: "David Teague even offered to cover up your crime by saying he'd had a motorbike accident.
"Eventually he begged you to finish him off and end his suffering."
Mrs Justice Foster commended Askew's friend, Craig Dixon, who came upon the scene and tried to save Mr Teague and called for help.
She also praised Chloe for acting with "poise and dignity" and thanked her for making sure justice was done.
The court heard Mr Teague was repeatedly stabbed and suffered upwards of 60 injuries from the machete and a knife. He was also punched, kicked or stamped and had multiple areas of bruising and six fractured ribs.
It was a combination of his multiple injuries and losing a considerable amount of blood that was the cause of his death, the court heard.
Askew turned nasty after taking drugs while the pair of victims visited him, thinking Mr Teague wanted to steal his cannabis plants because he mentioned them.
Askew grabbed Mr Teague and pushed him on the sofa then armed himself with a long machete and a knife.
Chloe said he drew the curtains and started "jumping on David and torturing him a bit".
He said Mr Teague "was going to get chopped up" and to have removed a door handle, put Chloe in a chair in the corner, pushed a large table towards her to prevent her from leaving and removed the battery from her phone.
He then attacked Mr Teague with the machete, initially striking him across the back then stabbing him with it.
When Mr Teague was in the corner Askew constantly struck him with the machete non-stop for what Chloe described as many hours.
She was not able to watch for much of the attack but at one point she lifted her head and saw the defendant swing the machete, making heavy contact with his head then legs then he kicked him in the face.
When she complained to the defendant he replied that his plan was not to kick his head off but to chop it off.
He then demanded she watch what he was doing and Mr Teague was begging for her to ring an ambulance.
Eventually, two friends of Askew turned up, including Mr Dixon and saw through the window him with blood on his shirt and with weapons in both hands, the court heard..
Mr Teague was slumped in the corner with "blood everywhere behind him".
The court heard Askew opened a window and one of the friends climbed in and Chloe was shouting "let me out" and jumped out of the window.
The prosecutor said: "She was screaming and extremely distressed and frightened and she ran off down the street."
Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Lawrence, of Durham Constabulary, said: “This was a truly horrific crime by Robert Askew and his actions will result in David’s family and friend suffering the consequences for the rest of their lives.
“Although nothing can change what happened on that day, I hope David’s family can take some comfort in that Askew has been forced to face up to his unforgivable actions.
“The judge praised the members of the public who gave first aid and also the victims who gave evidence in court.
“I would also like to thank the investigating officers whose professionalism and tenacity ensured we were able to put a strong case together which has resulted in Askew spending a significant number of years behind bars.”
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