A DRUG addict has been found guilty of murdering a man after a row where he stabbed him in the heart.

Kevin Paddick, 35, had claimed he was acting in self-defence when he knifed Danny Myers but following a four-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court a jury of seven men and five women found him unanimously guilty of murder.

Judge Charles Gratwicke adjourned sentencing until tomorrow and warned Paddick he would receive a substantial jail sentence.

Paddick, of Rosemary Road, Clacton, maintained Mr Myers attacked him first with a knife and he was acting in self-defence when he stabbed him in March this year.

Mr Myers, from Enfield, died of a single stab wound to the heart after the fight in the kitchen of a flat he was staying in with in Rochford Road, St Osyth.

During the trial, Chelmsford Crown Court heard claims Mr Myers was a drug dealer, but his partner Miss Luckhurst denied it was the case.

It was claimed Paddick frequently bought and used Class A drugs.

Mr Myers' family cheered when the verdict was read out.

Gazette:

Tragic - Danny Myers

In a victim impact statement, Mr Myers’ father Roy said: “We feel like our hearts have been ripped out and there is no purpose to my life.

“We do not sleep and it remains with us at all times.

“We are in a constant cycle of not really living.

“An accident would have been hard to take but for someone to have killed our son, we just cannot understand.

“Our sons life was taken and the person who took it is still alive and will likely still be in many years.

“Danny was loved by all of us, and has a young son and another baby due soon.

“Our lives changed forever when my son was murdered and I can never see anything getting any better.

“Danny was vibrant, graceful, gentle and was so loved.

“Life will never be the same as we will never see our beautiful boy.”

“Our lives are totally shattered and it is all down to the person who took his life.”

Mitigating for Paddick, Steven Perian QC said he was acting in self-defence and was genuinely remorseful for his actions.

DCI Stuart Smith said: "This has been a difficult trial for Danny’s family who have been understandably devastated by his loss.

“It was painful for them to hear the evidence and some of the hurtful things that have been said about their son during the last four weeks.

“They will never be able to forgive Kevin Paddick and they just want him to go to prison for the longest possible time so that he can consider the pain he has caused.

“I would like to thank the jury for listening to the facts and arriving at what I believe to be the correct verdict.

“My officers and I will continue to support the family going forward and assist them in moving on with their lives."