A TEENAGER who stabbed a man to death in a “savage” attack with a meat knife was found guilty of murder today.

Roddy Ashworth

A TEENAGER who stabbed a man to death in a “savage” attack with a meat knife was found guilty of murder today.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, killed Alan Reilly in Bocking, near Braintree, in April last year.

Mr Reilly, of Coldnailhurst Avenue, Bocking, suffered multiple stab wounds so severe they punctured his bones and he died shortly afterwards.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the teenager, who was 16 at the time of the attack, had travelled from Hackney, East London, to Essex with friends to sell drugs.

However, he was unable to supply the crack cocaine wanted by Mr Reilly who became angry and head-butted him, leaving him covered in blood.

The jury heard the accused returned to a friend's home, took an eight-inch knife from the kitchen and then used it to “shank” Mr Reilly.

The 25-year-old was stabbed nine times in the chest and back before falling to the ground.

The teenager denied murder and claimed to have acted in self-defence.

However, a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday unanimously found him guilty of murder.

He will be sentenced next month.

A full report - including background details to the case - will appear in tomorrow's EADT.