Image source, Pacemaker Image caption,

Father-of-four Pat McCormick was described as a gentle man who was the victim of a brutal and sustained assault

By Michael McBride & Sara Girvin

BBC News NI

A man who murdered a County Down father of four, disposed of his body in a wheelie bin and dumped it in a lake must serve at least 16 years in prison before being considered for release.

Pat McCormick's body was discovered near Ballygowan six weeks after he was last seen on CCTV in Comber.

David Gill, 30, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on Thursday after admitting the murder of the 55-year-old.

Five people were sentenced in connection with Mr McCormick's murder.

Speaking to media gathered outside the court in Belfast afterwards, Mr McCormick's 18-year-old daughter Morgan paid tribute to her dad.

"We've been stripped of our father," she said.

"My dad will never get to see any of us grow up or get married. He'll never get to hold his future grandkids.