A BALLARAT man has been found guilty of bashing to death a 76-year-old man.Neil Allan Baker, 52, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Brian Alexander Pearce.But a jury yesterday returned a guilty verdict in the Supreme Court of Ballarat.The verdict came just before 2pm - about two hours after the jury had retired to deliberate.The court had heard Baker would regularly visit Mr Pearce at his Albert St home and promise him sexual favours in return for money.On one occasion in early January, 2007, Baker bashed Mr Pearce after he refused to give him money.Later that night, Baker approached a drinking buddy in an agitated state and asked for help in disposing of Mr Pearce's body.The court heard Baker returned to Mr Pearce's unit a couple of days later and found him still alive, but did not seek medical attention for him.Mr Pearce's body was found naked on the floor of his unit on January 18 after Baker and a solicitor attended the Ballarat Police Station.He had suffered serious head and neck injuries, as well as bleeding to the skull and brain.Justice Philip Cummins presided over the trial, which started on October 20.Baker's plea hearing will be heard in December.