THE mother of 24-year-old Jordan Simcock who was murdered in Ruishton earlier this year has spoken out after her son's killer was jailed.

Jordan, who lived in Chard, was murdered by Michael Drake, 46, of Duke Street, Taunton, in February, when he was repeatedly hit over the head with a weight plate following an argument.

Jordan's mother Claire Simcock told the Gazette: "I want people to know how evil this person is. The upsetting thing for me is that if he had stabbed my son he would have got 25 years [in prison] because they're cracking down on knife crime.

"But he got 18 years, it was still a weapon, and it was imprinted in my son's head, half the circle of the weight."

After the attack by Drake, one of Jordan's friends called an ambulance but Jordan sadly died in hospital two days later.

Claire recalled how she'd heard in court: "Drake said no to an ambulance, and said 'leave him, he'll be dead by the morning and we'll deal with the body then'."

Drake was seen on CCTV leaving the address where Jordan was murdered in Coronation Close, Ruishton, with the weight plate in a bag which was later recovered by police.

He then walked to a friend’s house in Taunton where he showered and was given a clean set of clothes.

Later that night, he walked onto Priory Bridge Road carrying a bag, but less than ten minutes later he was sighted without it and walking barefoot.

He was arrested that day and subsequently charged with murder by detectives. 

Drake pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder, however, he was found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court on August 28 and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years on August 29.

Claire added: "Once he left the property where he murdered my son, he was caught on Ring doorbell which had audio, his words: 'Will you make me a coffee, I just killed a geezer [laughing].' That will haunt me to the day I die."

She said: "Drake did not show one ounce of remorse in that courtroom, he was smirking up to people in the public gallery who were there to support me.

"Even with the hard-hitting evidence, he didn't flinch while everyone in that courtroom felt physically sick. I looked at him... nothing, expressionless."

Jordan met Drake at work where they became friends.

Paying tribute to her son, Claire said: "Jordan worked hard as a cleaner and when he had nothing, he'd give you everything he had.

"He had the biggest heart going, was fun-loving, and he'd do anything for anyone. He was such a joker and had a heart of gold."

She added: "Thank you to Avon and Somerset Police, without their hard work he [Drake] could have walked. They were so determined to get him that life sentence, and they work bloody hard."