A MAN and his girlfriend have today been found guilty of killing a Clacton man on New Year’s Day.

Oli Smith-Daye was found unconscious in Trimley Close, Clacton, and died from his injuries later that day at Colchester General Hospital

A post-mortem showed the 29-year-old, from West Avenue, died from head injuries.

Elisha Francois, 21, Charlie Jacobs, 23, both from Trimley Close, and Alan Didier, 42, from east London, were all arrested and charged with his murder.

Following a three-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Jacobs was found guilty of murder, Francois guilty of manslaughter and Didier not guilty of any charge.

Senior investigating officer DCI Mark Hall said: “Oliver had spent New Year’s Eve with friends, having nothing else on his mind other than to enjoy a few drinks, share some laughs and look forward to 2012.

“It was his misfortune that his path should cross with Charlie Jacobs and Elisha Francois.

“These two individuals, both of whom had a history of violent offending, had spent the evening drinking alcohol and taking cocaine. Charlie Jacobs was, at the time, in breach of a prison licence, having only recently been released from custody.

“A trivial encounter resulted in a wholly unnecessary, ferocious and cowardly attack by these two defendants, who together viciously punched and kicking Oliver, before leaving him for dead.” Jacobs has been remanded in custody and Francois has been remanded on court bail.

The pair will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court during the week commencing Monday, September 3.