Colchester police chief vows to continue fight against drug gangs

Reece McHutcherson stabbed Murdoch Brown five times in Colchester, leaving him to die in the street, in the early hours of 7 May, 2019.

The attack took place after Murdoch and his brother Robert arrived in the Greenstead area in the early hours of May 7, 2019.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard from Robert Brown, who had been in debt to a drugs line and planned to speak to someone from the gang to explain how he would pay it back.

He was contacted by Toyn Williams and told to go to Buffett Way, where the brothers met McHutcherson and Jay Dice.

Robert explained he would repay his £300 debt the following day, but as he did so, Dice and McHutcherson pulled out large kitchen knives.

The brothers fled and Murdoch was stabbed five times.

Residents in Buffett Way came to his aid and called emergency services, but the 31-year-old died a short time later.

McHutcherson, 20, of Pillow Way, Buckingham, was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 20 years.

Dice, 23, of Mayville Road, Leytonstone, was jailed for a total of six years and 19 weeks for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Toyn Williams, 29, of Winchester Road, Hale End in east London, was jailed for a total of seven years and six months for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Jailed - Toyn Williams, Kayley Hodgkinson, Reece McHutcherson and Jay Dice

Kayley Hodgkinson, 32, of Cedars Road, Colchester, was jailed for three years for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

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District commander Chief Inspector Jon Evans said his team were tackling the "scourge of drug dealing" across the borough. 

He said: “My thoughts are with Murdoch Brown’s family and loved ones, who have suffered an unimaginable loss.

“Any death, especially in such horrific circumstances, also affects the wider community and we have been working closely with residents in the Greenstead area and our partners to ensure people feel safe.

“We have been tackling the scourge of drug dealing and the anti-social behaviour and violence associated with it, by identifying and arresting those suspected of being involved and putting them before the courts.

“We have also carried out regular patrols to identify criminals and keep people safe.

“None of this has stopped, despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, and we will continue to carry out this work to make sure the minority don’t blight the community for the majority of law-abiding residents.”