A GREENOCK man who murdered his elderly neighbour has been found dead behind bars.

Graeme McLaren left James Small, 64, to die alone in his Weir Street home after subjecting him to a brutal and sustained attack using his metal walking stick.

He was jailed for a minimum of 20 years for the assault, which saw the weapon puncture Mr Small’s bowel and then slice through his liver.

The killer was found dead at HMP Shotts, less than four years into his sentence.

The Tele understands he passed away last Monday.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) would not release details of the circumstances surrounding McLaren’s death, but it is believed there is no suspicion of foul play at this stage.

A report on the matter however has been passed to the procurator fiscal’s office by police.

Prison officials informed McLaren’s family of his death and it is understood a future Fatal Accident Inquiry could be held at Greenock Sheriff Court to look into the matter further.

At the time of sentencing, judge Rita Rae QC described evil McLaren’s actions as ‘depraved’ and stated that he had ‘shown no remorse’ for the horrific attack that left Mr Small with fatal internal injuries.

During the trial, the 51-year-old mocked his victim’s son Jim and daughter Jacqueline with a ‘cry baby’ gesture as they sat in court.

Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph after the verdict, Jim said: “ As much as the verdict and sentence doesn’t bring our dad back, the gravity of that sentence for the beast McLaren will help us move on.”

At the trial McLaren claimed someone else must have got hold of his walking stick, which was found stained with the victim’s blood.

McLaren told the jury he had gone to Mr Small’s home that night and found him in a state of undress with a woman he knew.

He insisted he later left the flat and had not touched Mr Small, but a jury dismissed his lies and convicted him of murder.

A spokeperson for the SPS said today: “Graeme McLaren, 51, a prisoner at HMP Shotts has died.

“He was convicted at Glasgow High Court and Police Scotland have been advised.

“The matter will be reported to the procurator fiscal.

“Next of kin have been informed and a Fatal Accident Inquiry may be held in due course.”

After his conviction in December 2013, the Tele exposed McLaren as a serial criminal with 40 previous convictions to his name.

Those offences included being found in possession of a variety of offensive weapons and a conviction for assault to severe injury at the age of just 19.

The killer also had fraud and various drugs convictions, as well as a record for theft, break-ins and public disorder.