A man who stabbed a Ukranian music teacher in the neck has been jailed for life.

Andrij Senechko, aged 46, of no fixed address, was, on Friday, convicted of the murder of Yuriy Kozak following a week-day long trial at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.

He was today sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 20 years.

Senechko knifed Yuriy in the neck, for no apparent reason, before calmly washing the weapon in a sink and suggesting the other occupants of the flat, who had witnessed the attack, called 999.

On the night before his death Yuriy had been entertaining regulars at the Astoria club/restaurant, Empire Street, Cheetham. He was playing traditional guitar at the club and spent time with a number of friends, including Senechko, who was working behind the bar.

Yuriy, Senechko and two other women went back to a flat at Cornwall House, Rodney Street, Salford, where they spend the night.

They all went to sleep and woke the following morning before continuing to drink. At some point during the morning Yuriy briefly flirted with one of the woman and the mood remained light-hearted.

Yuriy then went to the balcony for a cigarette. Senechko then approached Yuriy from behind and, without warning, jumped at him from behind and stabbed him once in the neck with a large kitchen knife.

Senechko calmly walked back into the kitchen where one of the women confronted him about what he'd done. He then washed the knife in the sink, placed it on the side and washed his hands, saying: "you can't prove anything."

He was then heard to suggest someone 'call 911' or something similar.

Police were called and emergency services battled to save Yuriy's life, but despite considerable efforts he was later pronounced dead at Manchester Royal Infirmary. The cause of death was a single stab wound to the left side of the neck.

Officers arrested Senechko and later recovered a large kitchen knife from the flat.

Senior investigator Andrew Tattersall said: "Yuriy was a popular member of the Ukrainian community and had been entertaining his friends the night before he died.

"We might never know exactly why Senechko attacked Yuriy, but we do know the horrific consequences.

"Yuriy bled to death after being stabbed once in the neck. His death has left a large hole in the lives of his wife and children, as well as many friends and family."