WA man jailed for murdering dad's mate

A drunk man who stabbed his father's friend to death because he believed he was being picked on has been sentenced in Perth to life in prison with a minimum of 16 years.

Connor Stephen Milton, 21, had been drinking with his father and two of his dad's friends at a home in Clarkson in December last year when they had an altercation.

Milton began yelling and screaming at the men and became even more aggressive after a neighbour came over to try to calm him down, the West Australian Supreme Court heard on Friday.

The offender turned on one of his father's friends and said he wanted to kill him.

Then the other friend, 34-year-old Craig Wilson, came between them and held his hands up, saying: "Leave my mate alone."

Milton's father also goaded him, the court heard.

The offender went inside the house and grabbed a knife before returning to the backyard and stabbing Mr Wilson six times in the stomach and chest.

"You stabbed me," Mr Wilson said.

He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

Milton was arrested after he was found hiding in bushes.

Justice Stephen Hall said Mr Wilson had provided no resistance and was clearly taken by surprise.

He also acknowledged the long-term suffering to Mr Wilson's family, who he said endured a daily struggle to come to grips with their loss.

Justice Hall accepted Milton was remorseful but said general deterrence against alcohol-fuelled violence was also a sentencing factor.

Members of the public became angry at the end of proceedings, with one man shouting and calling Milton a dog.