A drug dealer who spent his teenage years in Tendring has been jailed for the murder of a security guard.

David Watson, 20, stabbed Paul Cavanagh to death during a dispute in a Norwich store in December.

He was sentenced to serve a minimum of 24 years in jail for the murder, as well as for grievous bodily harm to a second store detective.

Originally from Hackney, Watson spent several years in the Jacques Hall Foundation in Harwich Road, Manningtree, followed by time at Orchard House in Clacton Road, Weeley Heath.

Both homes care for traumatised adolescents, through education and therapy.

Jackie Bilton, of Elm Grove, Clacton, was a care worker at Orchard House when Watson was a resident.

"I had problems with him for many years," said the 38-year-old.

"I could see something like this happening - he was prone to violent outbursts and verbal abuse."

Watson stabbed the 30-year-old security guard when he apprehended him for stealing a £15.99 CD at HMV.

Mr Cavanagh's family welcomed the verdict, but added that life should mean life.

His fiancée, Clare Millns, who was pregnant with the couple's first baby at the time of the murder, said: "The harsh reality of all this is that with our law the way it is, this man is very likely to be free to walk the streets again one day."

Mr Cavanagh's parents, Chris and Gill, added: "Watson has destroyed all our lives with his unprovoked and needless attack on our son. No sentence will be long enough for what he has done."

Priory Health Care, which oversees both Jacques Hall and Orchard House, declined to comment on Watson's conviction.