A THIRD man has been jailed for life for the murder of a former Prestwich businessman.

Nat Jacobs was stabbed 17 times in March 2001 when three men burst into his employment agency in Chester Road, Hulme.

John Gray (19), from Hulme, and Christopher Lambe (29), from Partington, Manchester, were both sentenced to life imprisonment in August after being convicted for the murder of the 40-year-old.

However, the third man -- and John Gray's father -- Ian Gray, fled to Scotland before murder squad detectives tracked him down in November.

On Tuesday of last week, a jury at Manchester Crown Court took just two-and-a-half hours to find Ian Gray, also from Partington, guilty of killing Mr Jacobs who moved from Overbrook Drive in Prestwich to Moston shortly before his death.

The father-of-three suffered 17 stab wounds in the horrific attack at Impact Employment Agency.

The incident began shortly after 3.15pm when the three men called at the employment agency. They made a few abusive remarks directed at the staff but left shortly afterwards and went to a nearby pub.

A short time later, Mr Jacobs came into the building via the rear door and was told about the incident involving the three men. Just minutes later, the trio returned to the office and when Mr Jacobs opened the door and asked what they wanted, he was headbutted in the face by Gray jnr.

One of the office workers went to assist but was also assaulted resulting in a split lip. A customer was injured when Gray jnr. smashed a desk tray across his head.

Mr Jacobs ran to the stairs at the back of the shop which led to the upper floors which were being renovated. He shouted a warning to the man working there to grab anything as he was being attacked. The carpenter handed Mr Jacobs a claw hammer. All three offenders armed themselves with weapons, including a spade and knife, and followed the victim up the stairs. Despite his attempts to defend himself, he was forced to the ground and stabbed repeatedly.

The carpenter had attempted to separate the men, but was beaten himself. The three men then left the building.

The knife used to kill Mr Jacobs was recovered nearby and a laptop computer stolen from Impact Employment was found underneath a van parked near to the home of Gray jnr.

Commenting on the conviction of Gray snr., Detective Ch. Insp. Peter Roberts said: "This was a horrific and totally senseless murder of an innocent man who was just going about his own business. Nat Jacobs had done nothing to justify this attack which ended in his death and the level of violence used was appalling and totally unwarranted.

"Gray snr. showed he was a coward by running away to Scotland."