A MAN who stabbed a father-of-two to death has been found guilty of murder.

A MAN who stabbed a father-of-two to death has been found guilty of murder.

Ricky Rowley, 32, was sentenced to 17 years in prison today after he was found guilty of stabbing Barry Lane at Highfields Caravan Park in London Road, Clacton, in August 2006.

Mr Lane, 28, from Skelmersdale Road in Clacton, was taken to hospital after the attack but later died of a stab wound to the chest.

Det Supt John Quinton, senior investigating officer in the case, said: “The death of Barry Lane was a senseless loss of life that devastated his family and has left two young children to grow up without the chance to truly know their father.”

Rowley was convicted on Mr Lane's murder along with a 19-year-old man at a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in November 2007 but in April 2009, Rowley had his conviction quashed and was ordered to stand a retrial.

But yesterday Rowley was found guilty of one count of murder at Ipswich Crown Court.

Det Supt Quinton added: “Ricky Rowley went to great lengths to avoid capture rather than face up to the responsibility of what he had done and we are glad that today justice has prevailed.”