A MAN who savagely killed and dismembered his father has been found guilty of murder.

Nathan Robinson, 26, used a Stanley knife to kill Poole taxi driver William Spiller on May 16 last year at the flat they shared in Stedman Road, Southbourne, before cutting up his body and packing it in plastic storage boxes.

Robinson had admitted the killing but claimed it was manslaughter. The jury at Winchester Crown Court took less than two hours to return a unanimous guilty verdict.

The judge, Mr Justice Griffith-Williams, reserved the sentencing to himself and adjourned the case to an unspecified future date.

Dorset Police Chief Inspector John Gately said the lengths Robinson had gone to in an attempt to mislead the police showed his “deceitful nature”.

“This was a particularly gruesome murder,” he said.

“I hope that this verdict brings some closure to those closest to Mr Spiller and I would like to pay tribute to the investigation team, in particular the case officer Dave Richards and the forensic team who had to deal with a horrific crime scene.”

Police were called to Mr Spiller’s home on June 17 last year after receiving a ‘concern for welfare’ call from his partner.

Robinson was arrested the day after his remains were discovered.

During the trial, the jury were told that on the night of the murder a neighbour heard Mr Spiller and his son arguing, and sounds of a scuffle. The neighbour later heard the victim asking his son to call an ambulance.

After butchering his father’s body with a hacksaw and Stanley knife Robinson cleaned the flat with steam cleaning equipment and paid the rent.

He then travelled to Glasgow, Birmingham and Bristol to visit friends and relatives, taking the gory Saw horror film series as a present.

CCTV footage taken at Bournemouth Railway Station showing Nathan Robinson the day after William Spiller’s death on route to Glasgow for a weekend with friends

In the month before the body was discovered, Robinson also posed as his father by sending texts from the latter’s mobile phone to Mr Spiller’s partner and friend.

In his defence case, Robinson argued that he loved his father and would not have wanted to kill him, although he also claimed the 48-year-old was a controlling bully.

He said he couldn’t remember the details of the killing, and the jury was also shown evidence of his mental health issues.

A phone recording from Nathan Robinson to police on May 27 in which Robinson tells police his father is safe and well and he is due to meet him that day

Following the verdict, Desmond Duffy of the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex said: “It was the prosecution case that money may have been a motive for the crime.”

An IOU from Robinson was found in the flat, in which he admitted owing his father £36,000. After murdering him he stole £8,000 in cash.

“The jury heard that the way Mr Robinson acted after the killing could only show clarity of mind,” added Mr Duffy.

“Robinson carried on his life as normal, supported by his father’s money, by going to Scotland, meeting friends and organising a weekend in Bristol.

“When the police arrested him he asked them if it was a joke.”