A MAN who stabbed an associate to death visited a girlfriend in Lymm with the body in the boot of his car.

Reddish resident Mario Simpson, aged 39, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday.

He admitted killing 43-year-old Paul Begley on December 11 of last year before driving to Lymm with the body in his boot.

Simpson also visited family in Sale, stopped to buy cigarettes in Trafford, and then drove to see a second girlfriend in Hyde.

The defendant and Mr Begley had argued at Simpson’s address when the victim grabbed a knife, the court heard.

A struggle ensued during which Simpson stabbed Mr Begley twice in the chest.

They continued to fight for the weapon before the defendant, in self defence, cut the victim’s throat.

He died from multiple knife wounds, the court heard.

Simpson attempted to dispose of the body in a frozen canal but was collared by two dog walkers.

They called the police and Simpson was later arrested at home. He was jailed for two years.