A MAN is beginning a six-year jail term after admitting to the manslaughter of a housemate in Hillingdon.

Damien Lenihan, 37, admitted at Harrow Crown Court yesterday (4) to the manslaughter of 48-year-old Marek Smalec.

Lenihan and Marek were staying on Hillingdon Hill when the incident that led to Marek’s death occurred.

His lifeless body was found in his bedroom on the morning of July 5 by another tenant.

A post-mortem exam revealed he had suffered a brain injury caused by a single blow to the head. There was no evidence a weapon had been used.

Witnesses reported the two men had been arguing.

Lenihan fled the address but was traced to a hotel in Telford, Shropshire, and was arrested four days later.

Detectives discovered that Lenihan had tampered with security cameras at the Hillingdon address, prior to fleeing.

Analysis of his mobile phone also showed he had deleted information.

Interviewed by police, he made no comment, but the weight of evidence led to his guilty plea to manslaughter.

Det Chief Insp Claire Hine, who led the investigation, said: “As soon as Damien Lenihan had attacked Marek, his first thoughts were for himself. He left Marek injured in his bedroom and promptly packed his bags and fled.

“While he may not have intended to kill Marek, Lenihan would have known he had injured him. However, instead of calling for help, he attempted to cover his tracks.”