A 31-year-old man from Hitchin has been jailed for 10 years after admitting killing 57-year-old William Floyd in a Stevenage tower block.

Robert Fisher, of Nightingale Road in Hitchin, earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Luton Crown Court on September 11.

A charge of murder will be left to lie on file.

The court heard how on March 12 this year officers found Mr Floyd, better known as Bill, dead in his flat in Harrow Court after concerns were raised for his welfare.

He had been stabbed in the back.

Fisher and Mr Floyd, who were known to each other, had become involved in an argument on March 6 which resulted in Mr Floyd being stabbed by Fisher.

He then left Mr Floyd undiscovered for almost a week.

Detective Sergeant Jo Goodson from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “After refusing to answer all questions put to him during police interviews following his arrest, Fisher admitted stabbing Mr Floyd at Luton Crown Court on Monday, September 11.

“Although he has revealed that he carried out the attack following an argument at Mr Floyd’s home he has never explained exactly why he decided to stab Mr Floyd. This has left his grieving family with many unanswered questions.”

Robbie Weber, senior crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Fisher refused to answer any questions during police interviews and stayed silent throughout. However, on September 11 at Luton Crown Court, owing to the strength of evidence against him – CCTV, forensic evidence and mobile phone cell site data – Fisher pleaded guilty to manslaughter, as an alternative to murder, and this plea was accepted by the prosecution team.

“We have worked closely with the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit since this investigation was launched and as a result of the hard work and diligence of the police and prosecution team, a just outcome has been achieved.

“The CPS and police are committed to protecting the public from violent criminals and will continue to vigorously prosecute all such offenders. Today’s sentence should act as a deterrent to others that violence will simply not be tolerated in our communities.

“We know that nothing will bring Mr Floyd back to his family and friends, but we hope that the conviction and today’s sentence bring them at least a small sense that justice has been done. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”