A MAN who "horrifically" killed another male who had hired his services as an escort has been jailed for life.

Michael Brennan, 23, of The Green, Melbourne, was found guilty on Tuesday following an eight day trial of killing Paul Simons in a Moulsham Street flat on May 4 this year.

He must serve a minimum of 22 years in jail.

Brennan had lured his victim, a 54-year-old antiques dealer from Bushey, Hertfordshire, to the property with the offer of sex before stabbing and hitting him over the head with a hammer.

While announcing the verdict, judge Christopher Ball said: "This was a horrific and gruesome pre-planned attack that took away the life of a man."